Dr  B  D  Whitestone     ^ 

68  Beatrice  Cir  ^Jl^ 

Belmont  MA    02178  ^^ 


ebster  Family  IJbraa'  of  Veterinary  Medicine 
immings  Sr"  ";ary  Medicine  at 


TUFTS   UNIVERSITY   LIBRARIEJ 


3   9090  0 


3   414 


^^  ///^^^T^ 


VETERINARY  HOMCEOPATHY 


IN  ITS  APPLICATION  TO  THE 


INCLUDING  A  CODE  OF  COMMON 

SUGGESTIVE  SYMPTOMS, 

BY 

JOHN  SUTCLIFFE  HURNDALL, 

Member  of  the  Royal  College  of  Veterinar\-  Surgeons,  England. 


SECOND  EDITION. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

BOERICKE  &  TAFEL. 

1910. 


Copyrighted,  1896, 
BOERICKE  &  Tafel. 


CONTENTS. 


Prefacb: Ill 

Introduction v 

Hygiene  and  Sanitation i5 

Diagnosis 21 

Strength  of  Drugs  and  the  Dose 34 

Arrangement  of  Diseases 43 

General  Diseases 45 

Simple  Fever 45 

Bilious  Fever 46 

Strangles 47 

Influenza 5° 

Erysipelas 5° 

Glanders  and  Farcy 61 

Anthrax 72 

Rheumatism 77 

B1.00D  Poisoning 82 

Pyaemia,  Septicamia 82 

Rabies 85 

Weed,  Lymphangitis 87 

Purpurea  Hsemorrhica 92 

Diseases  of  Parts  and  Organs  Included   in  the  Respiratory 

Tract 95 

Common  Cold 96 

Nasal  Gleet 97 

Laryngitis loi 

Roaring 103 

The  Lungs 109 

Bronchitis no 

Congestion  of  the  Lungs 115 

Pleuro-pneumonia 115 


CONTENTS. 

Broncho-pneumonia 115 

Pneumonia 116 

Pleurisy 123 

Asthma — Broken  Wind  ...        126 

Newmarket  Fever 129 

Diseases  of  the  Circulatory  System 132 

Palpitation 136 

Enlargement  or  Dilations  of  the  Heart 138 

Carditis,  Endocarditis,  Valvulitis, 140 

Fatty  Degeneration  of  the  Heart 146 

Arteries 146 

Phlebitis — Inflammation  of  the  Veins 147 

Hiccough,  Spasm  of  Diaphragm 148 

Diseases  of  Digestive  System 149 

The  Teeth 152 

Lanipas 154 

Glossitis — Inflammation  of  the  Tongue 156 

Parotitis — Inflammation  of  the  Parotid  Glands  .    . 157 

Pharyngitis — Inflammation  of  Pharynx 159 

Sore  Throat 159 

CEsophagus,  Gullet 161 

Gastritis — Inflammation  of  Stomach 162 

Indigestion,  Dyspepsia 167 

Rupture  of  the  Stomach 170 

The  Intestines 174 

Intestinal  Obstruction 176 

Colic 183 

Rupture  of  Intestinal  Walls 188 

Enteretis— Inflammation  of  the  Intestines 190 

Dysenter)- 192 

Prolapsus  Ani 194 

Peritonitis 195 

Acites,  Dropsy 197 

Constipation 198 

Diarrhcea 205 

Diseases  of  the  Liver 210 

Congestion  of  the  Liver .211 

Diseases  of  the  Urinary  and  Generative  Organ.'^ 214 


CONTENTS. 

Congestion  of  Kidneys,  Renal  Congestion 217 

Nephritis:  Inflammation  of  Kidneys 219 

Diabetes           223 

Cystitis:  Inflannnalion  of  the  Bladder 225 

Azoturia 227 

Occasional  Diseases  of  the  Urinary  Organs 229 

Parturition 233 

Before,  During  and  After  the  Act 233 

Retention  of  the  Foetal  Membranes 237 

After-birth 237 

Hfvmorrhage  or  Flooding 238 

Diseased  Conditions  Incidental  to  Parturition 240 

Vaginitis:  Inflammation  of  Vagina 241 

Metretis:  Inflammation  of  the  Womb 242 

Mammitis:  Inflammation  of  the  Udder 244 

Sore  Teats 246 

The  Foal 246 

Arthritis      248 

Abortion  and  Premature  Birth 250 

The  Nervous  System    .   .   •. 260 

Meningitis.  Cerebritis:  Inflammation  of  the  Brain 266 

Cerebro-Spinal  Meningitis 268 

Tetanus — Lock-jaw 271 

Chorea 275 

Paralysis •    •    .    .  276 

Lameness 278 

Sprains  of  Tendons,  Ligaments  and  Muscles 281 

Diseases  of  the  Eye 304 

Occasional  Diseases 310 

Diseases  of  the  Skin 312 

Internal  Parasites 320 

Inflammation 321 

Code  of  Common  Suggestive  Symptoms 327 

General  Index 237 


PREFACE. 


The  object  I  have  tried  to  keep  before  me  while  preparing  this 
book,  has  been  to  furnish,  in  concise  and,  so  far  as  possible,  un- 
conventional language,  information  that  will  enable  those  who 
have  the  charge  of  horses  to  discover  what  ails  the  animal  when 
signs  of  illness  or  incapacity  for  work  are  obser\-ed ;  and  further 
how  to  treat  a  patient  under  such  conditions.  I  make  no  claim 
for  the  production  of  a  scientific  work;  but  I  am  attempting  to 
cater  to  those  who  have  no  acquaintance  either  with  medicine  or 
disease  but  who  at  the  same  time  are  thrown  upon  their  own 
resources  when  their  equine  charges  fall  ill.  I  am  informed  that 
over  large  districts  of  the  United  States  of  America,  the  services 
of  a  qualified  \'eterinar5'  Surgeon  are  not  available  simply  because 
there  is  not  one  resident  within  a  reasonable  distance;  I  hope  that 
in  such  districts,  especially,  this  book  will  prove  of  considerable 
service.  It  has  been  my  aim  to  treat  of  common  and  oft-recur- 
ring ailments  and  in  my  descriptions  I  have  sought  to  express 
myself  in  the  everyday  language  of  the  stable. 

If  in  the  opinion  of  some  it  should  seem  that  I  am  chargeable 
with  prolixity  and  that  many  phrases  are  oft  repeated,  I  must  ask 
one  and  all  to  remember  that  I  am  writing  for  the  million,  among 
many  of  whom,  educational  advantages  may  possibly  not  have 
been  of  the  highest  order;  to  make  clear  to  such  as  these,  the  full 
meaning  of  all  I  desire  to  convey,  has,  as  it  seems  to  me,  rendered 
the  frequent  repetition  of  phraseolog3'  an  absolute  necessit}'. 

Conventional  terms  appear  much  oftener  than  I  could  have 
desired,  but  to  avoid  these  simply  means  to  leave  many  ailments 
untouched;  I  have  therefore  sought  to  obviate  the  objection  which 
may  possibly  be  raised  to  th2ir  introduction  by  a  very  full  Index 
to  which  reference  can  always  be  made  to  insure  a  simpler 
understanding  of  the  meaning. 

With  a  view  to  render  it  comparatively  easy  to  discover  a  given 
ailments,   I   have  prepared  a  list  of  prominent  suggestive   symp- 


IV  PREFACE. 

totns,  such  as  are  common  to  the  observation  of  any  man  who  is 
qualified  to  undertake  the  responsibiUty  of  managing  or  superin- 
tending a  stable;  and  in  juxtaposition  therewith,  the  names  of  the 
various  diseases  in  which  these  symptoms  occur;  on  a  careful 
perusal  of  this  portion  of  the  work  it  will  be  observed  that  quite 
a  large  proportion  of  these  symptoms  occur  in  a  number  of 
different  diseases,  and,  perhaps,  it  may  strike  some  persons  that, 
after  all,  the  list  of  suggestive  symptoms  is  not  much  help;  but  my 
advice  is,  that  when  a  horse  appears  unwell,  a  note  should  be 
made  of  all  the  chief  symptoms  observable;  thereafter  refer  to  the 
list,  and  the  disease  which  covers  the  greater  number  of  symptoms 
should  be  studied  in  order  to  determine  if  the  case  in  hand  answers 
to  the  fuller  description  therein  contained.  The  number  of 
remedies  prescribed  in  the  body  of  the  work  is  considerable,  and 
under  some  special  forms  of  disease  circumstances  demand  refer- 
ence to  various  remedies;  the  careful  comparative  study  of  the 
' '  suggestive  symptoms ' '  with  those  symptoms  which  indicate  the 
selection  of  a  given  drug  under  specific  conditions,  will  be  found 
extremely  useful  as  it  will  result  in  conveying  a  lasting  impression 
upon  the  mind  that  will  render  the  practice  of  recognizing 
symptoms  much  easier  on  future  occasions. 

I  sincerely  hope  that  as  these  ' '  suggestive  symptoms  ' '  become 
thoroughly  impressed  upon  the  minds  of  those  who  do  me  the 
honor  to  consult  this  work,  the  simpler  will  the  task  of  recogniz- 
ing disorder  become  from  time  to  time;  and  that  the  object  I  had 
in  view  when  I  undertook  this  work  will  be  fully  realized  and 
ultimately  prove  a  boon  to  many  a  man  who  is  thrown  entirely 
upon  his  own  resources  in  the  management  and  treatment  of  his 
horses. 

J.   SUTCLIFFE  HURNDALL,   M.   R.   C.   V.  S., 

Sussex  Villas,  Kensington,  London^  /"^h'>  ^^95' 


INTRODUCTION. 


For  every  work  that  is  worth  the  doing,  a  good  reason  may,  if 
necessary,  be  assigned,  for  how  can  a  good  work  exist  without  a 
reasonable  cause!  It  may  not  be  absolutely  necessary  to  advance 
a  reason  for  the  production  of  the  present  work  on  ' '  Veterinary 
Homoeopathy  in  its  Application  to  the  Horse."  Nevertheless  it 
is  to  be  hoped  that  it  will  not  detract  from  its  usefulness  if  an 
attempt  is  made  to  explain  why  the  production  of  such  a  work 
should  have  been  entertained. 

During  the  last  two  decades  the  science  of  Physiology,  which 
purports  to  treat  of  the  body  in  a  state  of  health,  and  the  science 
of  Pathology,  which,  in  like  manner,  treats  of  the  bodily  functions 
in  a  state  of  disease,  have  respectively  made  rapid  advances  both 
as  regards  discovery  and  application;  but,  apart  from  those  who 
practice  Homoeopathy,  little  or  no  advance  has  been  made  in  the 
science  of  Therapeutics,  which  is  the  science  of  curing  disease; 
this  may  seem  an  unwarrantably  dogmatic  assertion,  but  it  has 
been  so  frequently  admitted  by  leaders  of  the  medical  profession 
to  be  a  lamentable  fact,  that  any  one  who  has  a  practical  acquaint- 
ance with  the  "better  way,"  may  well  be  pardoned  for  referring 
to  so  weak  a  spot  in  the  armour  of  the  general  orthodox  practi- 
tioner. In  view  of  the  fact  that  a  very  large  majority  of  the 
medical  practitioners  of  the  world,  and  for  the  sake  of  comparison 
to  all  intents  and  purposes,  all  the  Veterinary  Practitioners,  remain 
faithful  to  the  old  system  of  medicine,  which,  since  Homoeopathy 
sprung  into  exi.stence  has  been  termed  Allopathy,  the  practical  and 
intelligent  layman  naturally  asks  tlie  question  as  to  what  is  the 
distinction  between  these  two  systems;  and  in  many  instances  it  is 
not  before  either  he  or  .some  dearly  beloved  friend  has  been 
snatched  from  the  jaws  of  death  by  means  of  the  medical  system 
known  as  Homoeopathy  after  all  that  could  be  done  by  means  of 
the  old-fashioned  system  of  allopathy  has  been  tried  and  failed,  that 
serious  attention  has  been  given  to  the  subject  and  even  then  it  is 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

admired  and  relied  upon,  in  niuet3'-nine  cases  out  of  a  hundred, 
because,  notwithstanding  the  antiquity  of  the  old  system,  the  new 
has  done  what  the  old  failed  to  realize  and  the  man  accepts  the 
truth  of  Homoeopathy  and  believes  in  it  because  through  it  his  life 
or  that  of  his  friend  was  saved. 

It  is  quite  true  that  Homoeopathy  has  done  what  Allopathy  has 
failed  to  do,  and  it  is  impossible  to  assign  an  intelligible  reason  for 
the  non-acceptance  of  the  principles  of  Homoeopathy  among  so 
large  a  proportion  of  the  medical  and  Veterinary  professions,  the 
real  fact,  stated  in  plain  unvarnished  language  is,  that  for  some 
unaccountable  reason,  the  word  Homoeopathy  and  the  name  of 
Hahnemann,  its  discoverer  and  founder,  are  like  the  proverbial 
red  rag  to  a  bull,  to  members  of  these  professions;  the  bull  with- 
out thought,  reason  or  compunction  on  seeing  a  red  rag  tosses  and 
does  his  best  to  destro)'  it;  this  is  very  much  like  the  action  of  the 
medical  profession  towards  Homoeopathy ;  a  rational  person  would 
naturally  conclude  that  on  hearing  of  what  Homoeopathy  could  do 
and  had  done,  the  medical  profession,  whose  first  duty  it  is  to  save 
life  and  ameliorate  suffering,  would  hail  with  jo)^  and  thanksgiv- 
ing any  discovery  that  promised  well  to  realize  so  desirable  an 
object;  and  that,  without  loss  of  time,  it  would  fearlessly  and 
honestly  investigate  the  facts  and  prove  them  for  itself;  it  is 
acknowledged  tint  by  no  means  an  inconsiderable  number  has 
adopted  this  course,  with  the  result  that  so  far  as  is  known  publicly 
not  one  single  member  of  the  allopathic  professions  ever  under- 
took the  serious  investigation  of  Homoeopathy  with  a  conscientious 
determination  to  learn  the  truth,  the  whole  truth  and  nothing  but 
the  truth  who  did  not  accept  the  principle  as  his  guide  in  the 
future.  This  is  a  fact  worthy  the  serious  consideration  of  every 
practical  layman,  and  from  it  he  may  without  difficulty  draw  his 
own  deductions  as  to  the  reason  why  so  few,  as  compared 
with  the  full  roll  of  medical  practitioners  and  Veterinarians 
in  the  world  have  adopted  Hahnemann's  golden  rule,  as  their 
own;  true,  America  has  shown  a  splendid  example  and  she  has 
done  more  to  foster  the  growth  and  development  of  this  glorious, 
life-saving  principle  than  any  country  in  the  world,  and  she  in- 
cludes among  the  alumni  of  her  famous  medical  colleges  a  suf- 
ficiently influential  number  of  the  loyal  followers  of  Hahnemann 
who  are  a  power  in  the  States;  still,  as  compared  with  the  vast 


INTRODUCTION.  vil 

ami}^  of  allopathists  they  are  but  feeble  folk  numericall\ .     The 
position  which  homoeopathists  occupy  would  seem  to  furnish  a 
sufficiently  valid  reason  for  the  production  of  a  practical  manual 
that  shall  serve  as  a  guide  to  laymen,  especially  those  located  in 
districts  which  lie  very  distant  from  the  centres  where  the  profes- 
sional  veterinarian  is  established,  and  that  without  reference  to 
the  fact  that  the  system  offers  advantages  far  and  away  superior 
to  the  old  fashioned  practice  chiefly  in  vogue  among  the  general 
run  of  veterinary  surgeons.     It  is  of  the  first  importance  that  all 
whom  it  concerns  should  enjoy  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  the 
difference  between   Homoeopathy  and  Allopathy;  and  in  the  first 
place  with  a  view  to  explain  the  matter,  it  may  be  safely  averred 
that  whereas  Allopathy  means,  etymologically,  treating  by  oppo- 
sites,  Homoeopathy  is  treating  by  likes.     At  first  sight  it  looks  as 
though  Allopathy  had,  from  a  rational  standpoint,  the  best  of  the 
argument,  but  as  we  proceed  we  shall  discover  that  Allopathy 
furnishes  no  guiding  principle  in  the  selection  of  drugs,  whereas 
the  foundation  of  Homoeopathy  is  based  upon  its  one  guiding 
principle  ' '  likes  may  be  cured  by  likes  ' '  and  but  for  this  the  whole 
superstructure  would  tumble  to  pieces," — in  fact  there  would  be  no 
superstructure.     Let  us  attempt  in  a  few  simple  words  to  clear  up 
the  objections  to  the  old-fashioned  allopathic  method  of  prescribing; 
it  has  already  been  said  that  allopathists  have  no  principle  or  law 
to  guide  them  in  selecting  drugs  for  the  cure  of  diseases,    and 
remarkable  as  this  may  seem  to  those  not  practically  acquainted 
with  medicine,  it  is  an  undeniable  fact;  it  has  also  been  stated  that 
allopathists  pretend  to  prescribe  and  treat  disease  by   opposites, 
that  is  to  say  they  endeavor  to  find  a  drug  or  method  of  treatment 
which  is  contrary  or  opposed  to  the  patient's  symptoms,  or  dis- 
ease; for  instance,  if  an  animal  or  man  is  constipated,  administer 
a  purge  or  laxative;  if  loose  in  the  bowels  administer  an  astringent, 
and  so  on;  at  first  sight  this  appears  a  very   rational  line  of  pro- 
cedure; but  inquire  a  little  further;  how  are  you  to  find  out  the 
contrary  or  opposite  of  a  toothache,  a  stomachache,  a  .sore  throat, 
sickness,   inflammation  of  the  lungs,  bronchitis,   inflammation  of 
the  kidneys,  and  so  on  to  the  end  of  the  chapter;  the  fact  is  }ou 
cannot  do  anything  of  the  .sort,  and  it  will  be  clear  to  the  percep- 
tion   of  any    practical   mind,    that    failing  this,  the  allopathi.sts' 
method  has  uo  guiding   principle   about   it.     The   same    objec- 


Vlll  INTRODUCTION. 

tiou  arises  when  j^ou  examine  the  plan  allopathists  adopt  of 
treating  diseases  from  knowledge  gained  through  the  study  of 
pathology,  which  is  the  science  that  deals  with  the  changes  that 
go  on  in  the  various  organs  of  the  body,  and  the  tissue  or 
material  of  which  those  organs  consist;  for  instance,  consider  what 
changes  take  place  under  certain  conditions  in  the  liver  and  the 
lungs;  without  any  scientific  knowledge,  any  man  who  has  been 
in  a  Knacker's  yard  and  seen  these  organs  exposed  to  view  could 
easily  tell  that  very  considerable  changes  had  taken  place  in  the 
tissue  if  only  guided  by  the  color  and  texture  of  these  organs 
when  diseased  as  compared  with  those  recognized  as  in  a  healthy 
or  normal  condition;  well!  how  can  a  contrary  or  opposite  in  the 
form  of  a  drug  be  found  to  these  diseased  conditions?  Knowledge, 
such  as  allopathists  have,  can  only  be  obtained  by  experimenting 
on  patients,  and  this  many  of  them  not  only  admit,  but  boast  is 
their  method  of  prescribing;  experience  and  experiment  are  very 
forcible  and  effective  words  and  sound  well  to  the  mind  not 
specially  trained  in  medicine,  but  they  may  be  badly  applied,  and 
mislead  the  unwary,  and  so  they  have  done,  and  still  are  doing;  but 
it  is  the  duty  and  the  privilege  of  those  who  have  studied  the  prin- 
ciples of  Homoeopathy  to  show  to  all  intelligent  people  who  are 
willing  to  learn,  that  there  is  a  rule  or  guiding  principle,  based  on 
scientific  principles,  as  unerring  in  its  application  tis  any  of  the 
great  and  acknowledged  laws  of  nature  by  which  the  Veterinarian 
and  medical  man  may  determine  what  drug  to  administer  in  the 
thousand  and  one  ailments  to  which  man  and  beast  are  dail}'  fall- 
ing victims;  to  the  practical  layman,  who  looks  at  the  matter 
from  a  common  sense  p^int  of  view,  and  whose  mind  is  not 
biased  by  any  old  traditions,  the  system,  which  can  give  a  well- 
defined  reason  for  its  regular  course  of  action,  must  assuredly 
commend  itself.  Now,  for  the  better  understanding  of  the 
matter  let  us  a.sk  the  question  "What  is  Homeopathy?  "  Many 
persons  are  under  the  impression  that  this  word  is  associated  only 
with  the  administration  of  small,  and  in  some  cases  infinitesimal, 
doses;  that  the  drugs  are  generally  prepared  in  the  form  of 
globules  or  pilules  and  are  devoid  of  nauseous  taste;  but  it  must 
plea.se  be  distinctly  understood  that  the.se  are  erroneous  con- 
ceptions of  the  meaning  of  Homoeopathy;  there  is  not  a  vestige 
of  truth  in  the  idea,  and  the  reason  why  it  became  so  prevalent 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

can  onlj'  be  due  to  the  fact  that  few  persons  have  ever  troubled 
themselves  to  investigate  and  find  out  the  truth  concerning  the 
system;  they  have  satisfied  themselves  with  the  result  of  the 
practice  of  Homoeopathy  either  in  their  own  experience  or  that 
of  an  intimate  friend,  and  there  the  matter  has  ended,  but  to 
avoid  any  misiniderstanding  let  it  be  distinctly  understood  the 
matter  of  the  dose  is  one  of  experience  only  and  has  nothing 
to  do  with  the  pri)uiplc\  this  alone  depends  upon  a  law  based 
on  the  relationship  which  exists  between  a  given  drug  and 
the  symptoms  it  is  capable  of  producing  on  a  healthy  sub- 
ject and  the  sjanptoms  which  present  themselves  in  a  subject 
when  affected  by  disease.  The  various  strengths  of  drugs 
as  defined  in  the  Homoeopathic  Pharmacopoeia  and  the  very 
precise  methods  of  their  preparation  are  the  results  of  ex- 
tensive practice  after  Hahnemann  introduced  the  Law  of  selec- 
tion to  public  notice,  and  it  is  very  necessary  that  they  should 
be  observed  and  adopted,  for  there  is  no  doubt  that  very  frequently 
the  drug  which  is  homoeopathically  selected  and  administered  in 
its  crude  form  not  only  fails  to  do  good  but  actually  does  harm  by 
intensifying  and  rendering  more  acute  the  very  condition  it  is 
intended  to  alleviate;  further  the  methods  of  preparation,  which 
Hahnemann  laid  down  for  the  guidance  of  the  Pharmaceutical 
Druggists  should  be  conscientiously  observed,  as  there  is  no  doubt, 
whate\-er  some  Practitioners  may  say  to  the  contrar\-,  that  the 
succussion  or  shaking  of  the  tinctures  and  the  persistent  tritura- 
tion with  the  pestle  and  mortar  of  the  powders  brings  out  in  some 
mysterious  way  the  active  power  of  the  drug,  without  which  it  is 
absolutely  ineffectual  and  useless,  and  to  the  absence  of  these  pre- 
cautions are  traceable  the  failure  and  disappointment  which  un- 
fortunately will  crop  up  in  homoeopathic  practice;  there  is  a  great 
tendency  in  the  present  day  to  ignore  the  value  of  what  are  called 
high  attenuations,  simply  because  the  practitioners  who  attribute 
little  importance  to  the  value  of  highlj-  potentized  drugs  appear 
incapable  of  appreciating  the  fact  that  in  this  condition  they  are 
more  (under  certain  conditions)  effective  than  in  the  crude  state; 
the  fact  that  they  are  so, — these  learned  gentlemen  notwithstand- 
ing,— has  been  prov^ed  among  the  lower  animals  very  frequently. 
But  to  return  to  the  main  subject,  viz.  the  Law  which  consti- 
tutes the  principle  of  Homoeopathy:   it  does  not  call  for  the  ex- 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

ercise  of  much  imagination  to  understand  that  given  a  healthy 
subject,  whether  among  the  human  race  or  the  lower  ani- 
mals, and  you  administer  a  non-poisonous  dose  of  Arse?iic, 
Mei'cury,  Strychnine,  Aconite,  Belladonna  or  any  other 
drug,  whether  it  belongs  to  the  mineral,  vegetable,  or 
animal  worlds,  you  will  in  all  probability  be  able  to  observe  the 
result,  which  result  will  make  itself  known  by  certain  symptoms 
either  experienced  by  the  subject  in  the  way  of  sensation  or  notice- 
able to  the  eye  of  anyone  looking  on;  for  instance,  if  a  person 
takes  sufficient  Belladonna  to  produce  the  ordinary  effects  of  this 
drug  on  the  healthy,  both  kinds  of  symptoms  will  present  them- 
selves: first  the  subjective,  or  symptoms  of  sensation  experienced 
by  the  person,  namely,  a  sore  throat,  headache  and  fever;  second, 
a  symptom  observable  to  the  eye  of  one  looking  on,  nameb',  a 
scarlet  rash  on  the  skin;  this  is  an  objective  symptom.  Now  these 
subjective  and  objective  symptoms,  namely,  fever,  headache,  sore 
throat  and  scarlet  rash  furnish  a  picture  of  the  symptoms  experi- 
enced by  one  who  is  the  subject  of  scarlet  fever.  Belladojina  there- 
fore is  the  remedy  according  to  Hahnemann's  law  of  drug  selection 
for  scarlet  fever,  and  so  clinical  or  bedside  experience  has  proved  it 
to  be,  times  out  of  number;  but  in  the  practical  application  of  this 
law  there  is  a  pitfall  into  which  many  persons  fall  when  attempt- 
ing to  put.it  to  the  test,  and  not  a  few  of  these  failures  could  be 
found  among  members  of  the  medical  and  veterinary  professions, 
what  wonder,  therefore,  if  a  layman  makes  a  mistake  !  T\\^  pitfall 
consists  in  taking  one,  two,  three  or  more  symptoms  while  two  or 
three  others  that  may  be  present  were  overlooked  or  ignored; 
Hahnemann  states  that  the  totality — which  means  the  whole  of 
them,  not  leaving  even  one  out — of  the  symptoms,  either  patent 
to  the  naked  eye,  or  experienced  or  felt  by  the  patient,  must  be 
included  to  enable  the  doctor  to  properly  select  the  remedy  for  the 
case  before  him ;  byway  of  illustration  take  scarlet  fever  and  i9^//a- 
donna  already  referred  to;  a  person  might  easily  be  the  subject  of 
fever  and  have  a  headache  and  sore  throat,  but  if  there  was  no 
bright  scarlet  rash  on  the  skin  depend  upon  it  he  was  suffering 
from  something  other  than  scarlet  fever;  in  which  case  the  fever, 
headache  and  sore  throat  would  not  point  to  Belladonna  as  a 
suitable  remedy;  provided,  always,  that  those  three  symptoms 
formed  the  totality  of  the  symptoms  of  the  case.     With  these  facts 


INTRODl'CTION.  XI 

before  the  reader  it  will  be  quite  clear  that  to  select  a  drug  for  a 
case  of  disease  or  illness  requires  close  observation,  especially 
among  the  lower  animals  who  cannot  give  expression  to  their  feel- 
ings by  word  of  mouth;  at  the  same  time  anyone  constantly  among 
animals,  who  is  endowed  with  quick  perception,  can  soon  learn 
much  from  the  dumb  show  often  most  intelligently  displayed  by 
these  creatures  that  shall  lead  to  quite  as  correct  an  estimate  of 
their  sensations  as  can  be  learned  from  the  higher  order  of  creation 
who  by  word  of  mouth  not  infrequently  mislead  by  incorrect  or 
wilfully  untrue  statements.  It  will  now  be  seen  that  the  homoeo- 
pathic law,  "  Likes  may  be  cured  by  likes,''  has  a  scientific  founda- 
tion, inasmuch  as  it  furnishes  a  means  for  and  a  guide  in  the 
choice  of  a  medicine,  and  for  this  reason  alone  it  should  commend 
itself  to  every  man  of  ordinary  intelligence.  There  is  no  diffi- 
culty in  finding  suitable  remedies,  inasmuch  as  Hahnemann  and  a 
considerable  number  of  his  followers  in  more  recent  times  have 
tested  the  action  of  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  drugs  now  in- 
cluded in  the  pharmacopoeia  upon  themselves  when  in  health,  and 
these  have  been  recorded  in  various  books  which  are  now  kept  for 
reference;  of  necessity  the  study  calls  for  a  retentive  memory 
backed  up  by  indomitable  perseverance  before  an3-thing  like  an 
adequate  understanding  of  the  subject  can  be  arrived  at;  but  to 
render  the  present  work  of  practical  use  to  the  horse  owner  who 
desires  to  treat  his  own  animals  a  summary  of  the  principal  symp- 
toms in  many  of  the  more  common  ailments  will  be  prepared,  so 
that  reference  may  the  more  readily  be  made  to  that  portion  of  the 
book  which  deals  with  diseases  under  their  recognized  headings, 
and  the  special  remedies  will  be  indicated;  in  this  manner  it  is 
hoped  to  compensate  the  layman  for  his  want  of  technical  knowledge 
and  experience,  and  in  this  way  assist  those  who  by  reason  of  locality 
are  unable  to  avail  themselves  of  professional  advice.  Let  us  now 
examine  the  position  arrived  at;  it  is  an  acknowledged  fact  among 
those  who  content  themselves  with  prescribing  drugs  as  the  allo- 
pathist  does,  that  experience  is  the  sheet  anchor  on  which  they 
rel}';  let  us  assume  that  a  certain  man  or  a  certain  animal  was  the 
subject  of  an  illness,  which  the  allopathic  practioner  described  in 
his  professional  phraseology  as  ''Pneumonia,''  which  in  plain 
language  means  "  infJammation  of  the  lung-s;"  a  certain  course  of 
treatment  was  adopted  in  this  case  and  the  result,  together  with 


Xll  INTRODUCTION. 

the  name  of  the  drug  or  drugs  used,  has  been  handed  down  to 
future  generations  of  practitioners;  the  patient  recovered,  hence 
when  other  cases  of  Pneumonia  crop  up  the  allopathist  falls  back 
upon  the  S3^stem  of  treatment  which  he  finds  recorded  as  above; 
and  so  the  thing  has  gone  on  for  ages;  but  not  one  of  those  who 
have  acted  on  this  line  could  give  any  scientific  reason  for  the  use 
of  the  drug  or  drugs  referred  to,  and  more  often  than  not  disap- 
pointment has  resulted  and  the  patient  has  died.  An  effort  has 
been  made  to  give  loud-sounding  names,  based  on  the  science 
known  as  pathology,  to  every  form  of  disease,  and  in  each  of  the 
many  diseases  recognized  the  same  course  of  procedure  has  been 
adopted;  one  man  has  tried  one  thing  for  a  given  disease  and  suc- 
ceeded; another  has  experimented  on  some  other  drug  with  equally 
good  results,  and  so  on  ad  infinitum,  and  each  in  their  turn  pub- 
lished their  experience  in  some  book  or  journal  until  the  medical 
professions  have  become  fairly  bewildered  with  the  numerous  pre- 
scriptions for  various  diseases;  but  this  very  fact  should  convince 
that  some  other  method  than  an  experience  based  on  the  uncertain 
foundation  of  guess  work  is  called  for;  you  may  give  names  to 
such  as  Pneumonia,  Bronchitis,  Pleurisy  and  the  like,  and  for  pro- 
fessional descriptive  purposes  these  names  may  serve  a  useful 
purpose;  but  there  never  were  two  cases  of  Pneumonia,  or  Bron- 
chitis, or  Pleurisy,  or  any  other  form  of  disease,  recognized  by 
name,  that  were  exactly  alike;  some  symptoms  occur  in  one  case 
that  do  not  present  themselves  in  another,  and  the  presence  of  one 
or  more  symptoms  in  one  case  that  are  absent  in  another  are  quite 
sufficient  to  account  for  the  failure  of  a  certain  line  of  treatment 
that  was  perhaps  marvellously  successful  in  another  that  had  pre- 
ceded it;  the  allopathic  practitioner  places  no  value  upon  the 
totality  of  the  symptoms;  in  other  words,  he  generalizes,  but  is 
not  sufficiently  precise. 

This  is  where  Homoeopathy  steps  in  and  furnishes  a  definite 
mode  of  procedure;  it  does  not  ignore  any  symptoms;  nay  more,  it 
not  only  includes  the  aggregate  or  totality  of  the  symptoms  pre- 
sented at  the  time  by  the  patient,  but  takes  into  consideration  any 
symptoms  experienced  or  that  may  have  been  observed  in  the 
previous  history  of  the  case;  and  comparing  all  these  as  a  whole, 
with  the  symptoms  that  drugs  are  capable  of  producing  in  the 
healthy  body  as  a  whole,  a  correct  selection  of  a  drug  for  a  given 


INTRODUCTION.  xiii 

ailment  may  be  made  on  the  principle  or  law  that  likes  may  be 
cured  by  likes;  as  before  stated,  given  several  cases  of  Pneumonia, 
Bronchitis,  or  Pleurisy,  no  two  cases  will  present  an  exactly 
similar  totality  of  symptoms,  therefore,  though  generally  speaking, 
the  names  given  to  these  diseases  may  be  useful,  they  do  not  furn- 
ish any  relial)le  data  whereupon  a  doctor  razy  select  a  remedy; 
every  case  must  be  taken  as  it  is  found  and  the  guide  for  the 
selection  of  the  drug  must  l^e  the  aggregate  of  the  symptoms  pre- 
sented; in  conclusion  the  law  of  healing  (Therapeutic  Law) 
includes  two  classes  of  symptoms:  First. — The  symptoms  out- 
wardly exhibited  and  inwardly  felt  by  the  patient.  Second. — The 
symptoms  produced  in  a  healthy  subject  by  a  drug;  provided 
always  that  the  symptoms  which  the  drug  produces  are  similar  to 
those  of  the  patient,  under  which  circum.stances  the  former  will 
relieve  and  remove  the  latter.  So  far  our  aim  has  been  to  make 
clear  the  system  of  medicine  in  accordance  with  which  the  ailments 
of  a  patient  may  be  cured  through  the  instrumentality  of  a  remedy 
in  the  form  of  drugs;  but  it  must  be  distinctly  understood  that  as 
with  the  human  subject,  so,  and  indeed  more  also,  with  horses  it 
frequently  happens  that  circumstances  calling  for  very  careful 
attention  arise  in  which  the  science  of  treating  animals  by  means 
of  drugs  (therapeutics)  will  not  meet  the  case  adequately,  or, 
indeed,  at  all;  for  instance,  a  horse  meets  with  an  injury  due  to 
an  unavoidable  accident,  or  he  has  his  foot  severely  pricked  while 
being  shod;  again,  you  may  own  a  mare  that  is  with  foal,  which, 
by  reason  of  its  having  got  into  an  unnatural  position  cannot  be 
born  w'ithout  assistance;  these  are  cases  calling  for  operative  sur- 
gery; and  while  it  is  not  at  all  improbable  that  the  condition  of 
the  patient  may  be  such,  as  a  consequence  of  these  circumstances 
to  require  the  administration  of  drugs  by  way  of  assistance,  the 
difficulties  could  not  be  got  over  by  drugs  alone;  operative  sur- 
gery here  would  be  the  chief  factor  in  the  course  of  treatment; 
therefore  it  must  not  be  imagined  that  cases  such  as  these  calling 
for  mechanical  interference  can  be  cured  by  the  administration  of 
drugs  only.  Again,  there  are  certain  diseases  which  owe  their 
origin  to  parasites,  which  are  found  both  in  the  body  and  upon  it 
externally;  lor  the  removal  of  these  chemical  or  mechanical  means 
must  be  adopted;  for  the  destruction  of  these  animal  or  vegetable 
organisms  the  homoeopathic  law  is  not  applicable,  though  there  is 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 

very  little  doubt  that  so  far  as  internal  parasites  are  affected  much 
can  be  done  to  render  the  places  of  their  abode  in  the  organism  an 
unsuitable  habitation,  by  which  is  meant  that  the  intestines  when 
they  harbor  parasites  are  not  in  a  healthy  condition  and  conse- 
quently favor  the  production  of  parasitic  germs,  and  that  by  the 
administration  of  suitable  remedies  they  may  be  restored  to  a 
healthy  condition  and  as  a  result  rendered  unfavorable  to  the  pro- 
duction and  development  of  parasites;  thus  far  drugs  may  be 
useful,  but  it  cannot  be  said  that  under  such  circumstances  the 
homoeopathic  law  is  brought  into  practice;  that  is  to  say,  in  the 
sense  of  curing  a  disease  by  drugs  alone;  the  parasites  have  to  be 
destroyed,  hence  the  process  is  a  chemical  one  and  not  a  thera- 
peutic. Although  many  of  these  methods  of  treatment  do  not 
come  within  the  possible  knowledge  of  a  lajmian,  it  has  been 
deemed  necessary  to  clearly  point  them  out  lest  a  misconception 
should  arise  that  all  diseases  can  be  cured  by  drugs  alone;  there 
are  limits  in  the  application  of  the  homoeopathic  law  of  cure,  and 
it  is  desirable  that  this  should  be  clearly  understood,  otherwise 
discredit  will  be  brought  upon  the  principle  and  great  disappoint- 
ment experienced  by  persons  who  may  be  attempting  an  impossi- 
bility. Although  this  attempt  at  expounding  the  tenets  of  the 
homoeopathic  faith  has  been  made,  the  author  feels  he  has  but 
feebly  realized  the  objects  aimed  at;  the  difficulties  have  rather  been 
enhanced  by  reason  of  the  necessity  laid  upon  him  by  the  pub- 
lishers to  avoid,  as  much  as  possible,  technical  professional  terms; 
still  it  is  hoped  that  this  introductory  chapter  will  not  be  without 
interest  and  utility,  in  so  far  as  those  who  desire  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  work  may  be  able  to  comprehend  the  difference 
between  the  man  who  has  a  principle  to  guide  him  in  the  selection 
of  a  drug  for  any  given  ailment,  and  he  who  simpl}'  does  so  by 
guess  work  on  the  off  chance  that  a  cure  may  be  hit  upon. 


HYGIENE  AND  SANITATION 

OR  PRINCIPIvES  TO  BE  OBSERVED  FOR  THE  PRESER- 
VATION OF  HEALTH. 


The  old-fashioned  adage  that  ''  preveiition  is  better  than  cure'^ 
cannot  be  more  usefully  brought  into  practice  than  in  its  applica- 
tion to  the  health  of  the  horse  and  other  domestic  animals;  for  so 
long  as  a  horse  enjoys  immunity  from  disease,  so  much  more 
valuable  is  he  to  his  owner,  as  no  time  is  lost  in  the  due  fulfillment 
of  his  daily  duties,  to  say  nothing  of  the  absence  of  anxiety  and 
trouble  on  the  owner's  or  stableman's  minds  and  parts,  by  reason 
of  attention  and  expense  involved  during  a  bout  of  sickness; 
therefore  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  to  devote  a  special  chapter  to 
the  careful  consideration  of  how  to  keep  a  horse  in  health  so  far 
as  ordinary  precautions  avail. 

One  of  the  first  and  most  important  matters  for  consideration  is 
the  construction  of  the  stable;  few,  if  any,  architects  seem  able  to 
grasp  the  first  principles  of  ventilation,  or,  if  acquainted  with  them, 
rarely  carry  them  into  practice;  free  circulation  of  pure  air  com- 
bined with  a  complete  freedom  from  cold  draughts  is  an  absolutely 
essential  feature  of  a  healthy  stable;  many  horses,  especiall}^  those 
kept  for  racing,  hunting,  trotting  and  carriage  work,  are  kept  in 
elaborately  built  stables  in  which  a  high  temperature  is  maintained 
by  keeping  the  inlets  to  fresh  air  tightly  closed,  and  that  without 
any  provision  for  its  ingress  other  than  passes  through  the  windows 
or  doors.  Places  no  better  provided  with  ventilation  than  this  are 
egregiously  faulty;  horses  kept  for  sport  and  private  convenience, 
especially  the  former,  are,  without  doubt,  rendered  peculiarly  sus- 
ceptible to  disease,  particularly  diseases  affecting  the  respiratory 
organs,  by  the  mistake  of  keeping  them  in  an  unnaturally  high 
temp2rature;  it  is  quite  possible  to  keep  a  horse  sufficiently  warm 
-to  fulfill  the  exigencies  of  training  for  racing  and  hunting  and 


1 6  VETERINARY   HOMOEOPATHY. 

carriage  work,  and  still  to  maintain  an  equable  temperature  com- 
bined with  a  free  circulation  of  pure  air,  but  to  do  this  windows 
and  doors  must  not  be  relied  upon.  Windows  are  intended  for 
the  admission  of  light  and  doors  for  the  passing  in  and  out  of  the 
inhabitants.  Fresh  air  must  have  a  means  of  ingress,  and  foul  air 
a  means  of  egress  peculiar  to  each,  and  that  altogether  separate 
and  distinct  from  doors  and  windows;  the  requirements  may  best 
be  provided  in  the  following  manner:  The  walls  of  the  stable 
should  be  from  fourteen  to  eighteen  inches  thick,  and  the  inside 
should  be  either  plastered  or  faced  with  glazed  bricks,  about  tv/elve 
inches  above  the  level  of  the  ground  outside.  A  longitudinal 
channel  should  be  left  in  the  centre  of  the  wall  about  four  and  a 
half  inches  wide  and  nine  inches  deep,  and  on  a  level  with  this 
channel,  both  inside  and  out,  psrforated  bricks  should  be  laid 
alternately;  that  is  to  say,  the  outside  perforated  bricks  should 
not  be  directly  opposite  those  inside,  but  alternate  with  them. 
The  object  of  this  is,  of  course,  patent  to  any  one,  viz.,  to  prevent 
direct  ingress  of  the  fresh  air,  and  vSO  obviate  a  draught,  at  the 
same  time  insuring  a  constant,  continuous  and  gentle  diffusion 
over  the  whole  building;  it  is  no  less  important  to  provide  for  the 
due  escape  of  foul  air  as  for  the  admission  of  fresh,  and  to  this  end 
nothing  can  exceed  in  value  an  open  roof  with  louvre  boards 
running  the  whole  length  of  the  stable;  there  is,  however,  one 
important  objection  to  an  open  roof,  namely,  the  exposure  to  cold 
in  winter  and  heat  in  summer;  but  this  may  be  obviated  by  hav-. 
ing  a  ceiling  placed  at  the  same  angle  as  the  roof,  but  about  a  foot 
from  it,  with  a  large  central  shaft  and  side  exits  under  the  eaves 
of  the  ceiling  in  the  wall.  This,  of  course,  does  not  act  so  well  as 
the  open  roof,  but  it  guards  the  occupants  of  the  stable  from  the 
extremes  of  temperature.  By  observing  these  precautious  a  per- 
fect ventilation  is  assured. 

Next  to  ventilation  comes  drainage,  which  in  residential  houses 
is  not  easy  to  perfect,  but  in  stables  it  is  a  simple  matter;  given  a 
reasonable  fall  and  surface  drains  are  all  that  is  required  within 
the  building;  each  stall  or  loose  box  should  have  a  central  channel 
towards  which  the  superficial  area  of  the  floor  should  slope  in  both 
directions,  and  this  central  channel  should  empty  itself  into  a 
main  channel  running  in  the  longitudinal  direction  of  the  build- 
ing, which  in  its  turn  should  be  discharged  into  an  underground 


HYGIENE    AND   SANITATION.  1 7 

■drain,  but  this  should  hz  so  arr;ui,s:^jd  that  the  pjiut  of  discharge 
should  be  situated  at  least  six  feet  from  the  outer  wall  of  the 
stable;  taking  for  granted  that  the  floor  of  the  stable  is  paved 
with  a  suitable  material  that  is  impervious  to  moisture,  a  free  sluic- 
ing of  water  will  ensure  cleanliness  and  the  due  washing  awaj'  of 
all  excrementitious  material. 

Ventilation  and  drainage  being  secured  as  near  perfection  as 
possible,  it  is  very  important  to  the  well  being  of  horses  that  they 
be  abundantly  supplied  with  /(^/i^,  and  if  you  cannot  do  better 
than  windows  in  the  walls,  let  them  be  arranged  high  up;  but 
better  than  all  are  the  vertical  lights  obtained  from  the  roof;  but 
even  these  are  not  without  their  objection  lest  the  sun's  rays 
should  rest  too  fully  upon  the  horses  at  midday;  this,  however, 
may  be  obviated  by  having  the  louvre  doafds  replaced  by  g/ass  in 
the  same  form,  and  if  the  glass  be  ground  or  fluted  the  rays  of 
the  sun  will  be  broken  so  as  not  to  rest  directly  on  the  inmates  of 
the  stable.  A  good  light  is  absolutely  essential,  not  only  for  the 
sake  of  general  health,  but  especially  for  the  preservation  of  the 
•eyesight. 

As  it  is  of  the  first  importance  to  the  health  of  the  horse  that 
lie  should  not  be  exposed  to  damp,  a  precaution  which  is  only  too 
often  overlooked,  it  is  very  necessary  that  the  site  and  aspect  of 
the  stable  should  be  carefully  and  properly  arranged;  nothing,  of 
course,  beats  a  good  gravel  soil,  but  if  the  locality  does  not  enjoy 
the  advantage  of  this  kind  of  soil,  then  the  place  should  be  well 
drained  to  a  depth  of  three  or  four  feet,  and  the  floor  of  the 
stable  should  be  raised  at  least  one  foot  from  the  level  of  the 
ground  and  allowed  to  rest  upon  a  concrete  base.  In  the  cases  of 
Tiorses  trained  for  racing,  hunting  and  trotting,  with  whom  a  per- 
fectly-sound condition  of  the  respiratory  organs  is  an  essential 
point,  the  adoption  of  open  fireplaces  is  a  great  advantage,  not  so 
much  in  use  for  the  sake  of  ensuring  warmth,  as  to  keep  the  stable 
dry  and  to  render  the  ventilation  more  perfect,  as  well  to  maintain 
an  even  temperature  during  the  night;  of  course  horses  can  be 
kept  warm  in  their  bodies  by  the  use  of  clothing,  but  no  amount 
of  clothing  will  keep  out  the  moisture  and  cold  which  is  so  fre- 
■quentl}'  experienced  in  districts  where  rapid  climatic  changes  take 
place,  and  proves  so  disastrous  in  many  instances,  though  it  is  to 
be  regretted  in  the  interest   of  owners,   that   trainers  and   stud 

2 


1 8  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

grooms  too  often  fail  to  recognize  the  importance  of  providing 
against  this  natural  difficulty;  indeed,  there  is  no  doubt  in  the 
author's  mind  that  among  race  horses  described  as  non-stayers,  or 
that  make  a  noise  (roarers,  whistlers,  etc.),  the  cause  in  the 
majority  of  cases  is  to  be  traced  to  stable  surroundings;  the  tem- 
perature of  the  building  should  not  exceed  55°  F.,  good  food, 
clothing  and  exercise  will  do  all  else  that  is  required  to  keep  a 
horse  warm  and  comfortable;  in  conclusion  it  need  hardlj'be  added 
that  cleanliness  is  a  sine-qua-non  for  the  horse,  as  for  the  man, 
and  that  all  excrementitious  material,  whether  solid  or  fluid,  should 
be  swept  up  and  removed  with  as  much  expedition  as  possible 
from  the  confines  of  the  building;  it  is  astonishing  how  rapidly 
putrefactive  changes  take  place  in  a  horse's  excrement  if  allowed 
to  accumulate,  and  specially  does  this  apply  to  the  urine,  and  when 
the  process  is  established  the  gases  are  quickly  diffused  over  the 
building  and  the  otherwise  pure  air  is  loaded  with  foul  exhala- 
tions which  breathed  in  through  the  lungs  speedily  gain  access  to 
the  blood  and  bring  on  low  fevers  of  an  insidious  type;  indeed, 
they  are  more  insidious  and  deeply  reaching  in  their  effects  upon 
the  animal  constitution  than  is  generally  recognized  and  render 
the  system  less  able  to  combat  those  forms  of  disease  which  by 
their  distinctive  manifestations  have  more  importance  attributed  to 
them;  many  a  horse  may  be  the  subject  of  these  low  types  of  fever 
without  showing  any  very  precise  symptoms  or  even  appearing 
seriously  ill,  and  while  ready  to  respond  to  the  call  of  tlie  whip 
or  the  spur  is  quite  unable  to  realize  the  fond  hopes  of  his  owner 
and  trainer  by  winning  a  race  or  a  match;  but  in  the  majority  of 
instances  the  condition  which  is  responsible  for  such  failures  may  be 
avoided  by  observing  the  precautions  in  stable  management  herein 
indicated,  and  this  applies  with  no  less  force  to  horses  of  all  breeds 
and  classes  so  far  as  general  utility  is  concerned. 

The  subjects  which  include  forage,  grooming,  exercise  and 
stable  management  generally,  might  fairly  be  included  under  the 
head  of.  "  Hygiene,'"  but  as  it  is  desirable  not  to  lengthen  out 
this  division  of  the  work  inordinately,  and  every  horseman  is. 
supposed  to  understand  these  matters  and  to  appreciate  their  value 
and  importance  more  than  the  great  majority  appears  to  do  that 
affecting  the  buildings,  no  attempt  will  be  made  to  treat  of  same 
except  to  give  a  warning  note  about  the  water;  this  has  such  a. 


HYGIENE    AND   SANITATION.  I9 

powerful  bearing  upon  health  that  it  cannot  be  omitted.  First. 
See  that  your  service  tanks  are  regularly  and  not  un frequently 
cleaned  out.  Second.  Be  sure  that  no  contaminating  source  from 
drains  or  otherwise  can  come  in  contact  with  your  water  supply. 
Third.  H  your  horses  are  constantly  supplied  with  water  in  the 
stall,  be  sure  that  the  supply  is  changed  at  least  twice  daily,  so  as 
to  avoid  the  passible  contamination  from  gases  originating  from 
putrefactive  sources.  Fourth.  Let  your  water  supply  be  natural 
soft  water  if  possible;  but  should  it  come  from  a  hard  spring,  by 
all  means  ha\-e  it  boiled  in  order  to  counteract  the  influence  ex- 
ercised upon  the  digestive  organs  by  the  minerals  naturally  held 
in  solution,  which  are  capable  of  acting  upon  the  system  much  as 
a  drug  does  when  administered  as  a  poison.  vShould  this  sugges- 
tion of  the  boiling  appear  to  the  practical  mind  of  some  horse 
owner,  a  vague,  theoretical,  and  impracticable  sort  of  idea,  which 
he  has  not  the  patience  to  carry  out,  then  let  him  see  to  it  that 
this  hard,  cold  spring  water  is  collected  in  a  tank  exposed  to  the 
sun's  rays  for  a  few  hours  before  it  is  used;  this  is  the  next  best 
thing,  but  do  not  fail  to  understand  that  much  more  care  is  neces- 
.sary  with  regard  to  water  supply  than  is  generally  acknowledged 
if  you  desire  to  do  the  best  you  can  for  your  horses  to  keep  them 
in  health.  There  is  one  more  point  worthy  ot  consideration  be- 
fore leaving  this  subject  of  water,  and  whereas  it  is  one  upon 
which  practical  horsemen  differ  it  deserves  a  special  word:  "  When 
is  the  best  time  to  allow  a  hard-worked  horse  to  drink  ?  " 

In  coming  to  a  definite  opinion  upon  this  vexed  question  it  be- 
hooves the  practical  man  to  bear  in  mind  the  anatomy  of  the  horse; 
First.  Remember  that  the  stomach  of  the  horse,  compared  with 
other  parts  of  the  body,  is  decidedly  small;  Second.  That  he  is 
supplied  with  a  large  bag-.shaped  compartment  in  the  intestinal 
tract,  which  forms  a  sort  of  cul  de  sac  and  is  called  the  Caecum 
which  serves  the  purpose  of  what  may  be  described  a  water 
stomach:  when  a  horse  drinks,  the  fluid  does  not  remain  any 
length  of  time  in  the  digestive  stomach  but  quickly  passes  on  to 
the  Caecum  and  from  thence  is  distributed  over  the  body.  Now 
this  being  the  case  it  points  distinctly  to  the  desirability  of  allow- 
ing the  horse  to  partake  of  such  an  amount  of  fluid  as  the 
natural  call  of  thirst  demands  before  taking  food,  because  the 
water  which  has  passed  on  to  the  Caecum  will  serve  the  purpose  of 


20  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

slaking  thirst  without  diluting  or  interfering  with  the  normal 
digestive  secretions  of  the  stomach  which  begin  to  pour  out 
so  soon  as  masticated  food  enters  the  organ  and  hence  the  process 
of  digestion,  can  go  on  without  interruption,  and  the  assimula- 
tion  of  the  alimentary  material  in  its  physiologically  natural  con- 
dition will  take  place;  if  water  is  given  after  feeding,  while  the 
process  of  digestion  is  going  on  in  the  stomach,  the  natural  diges- 
tive fluids  are  diluted,  they  cannot  act  in  this  state  upon  the 
alimentary  material  and  digestion  is  arrested  until  the  fluid  has 
passed  on  to  its  proper  locality,  the  Caecum,  still  further  argu- 
ments, might  easily  be  adduced  in  favor  of  allowing  a  hard 
worked  horse  to  drink  before  he  is  allowed  to  eat,  and  in 
the  cases  of  horses  such  as  hunters  which  have  probably  been  called 
upon  for  the  exercise  of  great  exertion,  and  have  been  hours 
without  any  food,  it  would  be  a  safe  course  to  allow  at  least  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  to  elapse  after  letting  them  drink  before  giving 
food  of  any  sort,  and  even  then  not  more  than  a  handful  or  two 
of  long  hay  while  they  are  being  cleaned  and  dressed,  after  which 
the  circulation  will  have  assumed  its  normal  pressure  and  the 
stomach  will  be  prepared  to  receive  the  food  and  perform  its 
natural  functions. 

The  object  of  this  chapter  has  been  to  merely  touch  upon  the 
main  points  affecting  the  sanitary  conditions  which  have  a  baneful 
influence  on  horses  of  all  classes,  and  not  to  attempt  to  deal  with 
the  subject  in  extenso;  it  is  intended  to  serve  as  a  sort  of  warning 
to  owners  against  some  of  the  dangers  they  have  to  provide  against; 
to  deal  with  hygiene  comprehensively  would  entail  a  much  longer 
chapter  than  the  limits  of  this  will  provide,  therefore  the  reader 
must  please  understand  that  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  deal 
with  this  important  subject  in  an  exhaustive  manner. 


DIAGNOSIS. 


HOW  TO  FIND  OUT  THE  BEST  COURSE   OF   TREAT- 
MENT. 


One  of  the  chief  difficuUies,  which  besets  even  the  experienced 
professional  practitioner,  is  to  determine  what  is  really  the  matter 
with  his  patient,  especially  when  first  called  into  a  case;  without 
doubt  there  are  distinct  types  of  disease  which  it  is  comparatively 
easy  to  distinguish  at  first  sight,  but  the  cases  which  baflfle  the 
honest  practitioner  to  discern  right  off  the  reel  are  occurring  very 
frequently,  especially  if  called  upon  to  state  what  really  is  the 
matter  in  orthodox  medical  phraseology;  and  if  the  experienced 
practitioner  finds  it  difficult  to  discover  how  the  case  stands,  cer- 
tainly the  layman  is  placed  in  a  much  more  difficult  position  when 
compelled  by  force  of  circumstances  to  rely  upon  his  own  powers 
of  discrimination  unaided  by  professional  experience.  To  assist 
such  a  one  is  the  object  of  this  chapter;  it  is  comparatively  eas}'  to 
write  a  description  of  the  various  diseases  affecting  the  horse,  but 
it  is  not  so  easy  to  explain  to  the  untrained  novice  how  he  should 
proceed.  Certainly  an  intelligent  layman,  who  is  endowed  with 
powers  of  observation  and  discrimination,  can  the  more  readily 
learn  what  to  do  in  cases  of  urgent  necessity  when  guided  by  the 
principles  of  homoeopathy,  than  can  the  allopathist  with  his  vague 
and  uncertain  generalities;  still  for  any  one  to  turn  to  practical 
account  a  work  on  medicine,  written  in  the  plainest  and  most  un- 
conventional language,  demands  the  exercise  of  keen  observation. 
Many  and  varied  are  the  indications  which  horses  of  varying  tem- 
perament and  differing  character  exemplify  when  they  first  begin 
to  feel  ill.  These  indications  will  be  referred  to  further  on;  but 
first  let  it  be  understood  that  having  observed  that  something 
appears  wrong  with  your  animal,  what  should  you  do  to  make 
sure  you  have  not  formed  a  wrong  impression;  in  other  words, 

21 


22  VETERNARY    HO.MCEOPATHV. 

how  are  you  to  proceed  to  determine  first,  ivhclher  there  is  any- 
thing the  matter,  and  second,  ivhat  is  it /  In  the  early  stages  of 
disease,  before  any  decided  symptoms  present  themselves,  there  is 
nothing  so  surely  indicative  of  prospective  trouble  as  the  exaltation 
of  the  internal  heat  of  the  body  above  that  recognized  as  the 
normal  standard;  to  enable  any  one  to  satisfy  himself  upon  this 
point  a  cheap  little  instrument,  known  as  the  thermometer,  is  avail- 
able; it  is  so  constructed  that  one  portion  of  the  quicksilver  serves 
as  an  indicator  which  remains  in  position  after  use  until  shaken 
down;  any  instrument  maker  selling  same  will  show  a  purchaser 
ho  V  to  proceed  if  he  does  not  already  understand  its  application 
and  use;  most  of  these  instruments  are  constructed  on  the  Fahren- 
heit record,  and,  according  to  this,  the  normal  or  healthy  standard 
is  98.5  degrees,  and  anything  above  loo  degrees  must  be  con- 
sidered suspicious  in  the  horse;  a  further  test  in  a  few  hours 
should  be  made  to  discover  whether  the  thermometer  continues  to 
rise,  if  it  does  so,  then  further,  developments  must  be  looked  for; 
this  departure  or  variation  in  the  temperature  of  the  body  from 
the  normal  standard  of  98.5  degrees  may  be  taken  as  a  most  sig- 
nificant indication  of  the  development  of  disease,  and  no  horse 
owners,  especially  those  who  have  to  rely  upon  their  own  unaided 
judgment  in  the  management  of  their  stables,  should  be  without 
a  clinical  thermometer;  in  England  a  good  one  costs  about  twelve 
or  fifteen  shillings;  not  infrequently,  in  cases  of  simple  fever 
brought  on  by  extra  exertion  on  a  very  hot  day,  the  temperature 
will  run  up  to  105  or  106  degrees  rapidly,  and,  after  proper  treat- 
ment, recede  almost  as  quickly;  but,  as  a  rule,  a  high  temperature, 
say  of  103  to  104  degrees  that  is  maintained,  means  a  serious  ill- 
ness: if  such  proves  to  be  the  case,  the  regular  use  of  the  ther- 
mometer must  be  relied  on  at  stated  intervals,  and,  better  still,  at 
positively  exact  hours,  say  8  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  8  o'clock 
in  the  evening.  As  a  rule,  under  favorable  conditions,  the  ther- 
mometer will  register  two  or  three  decimals  of  a  degree  higher  at 
night  than  in  the  morning.  And  so  long  as  the  instrument  shows 
an  uniform  register  for  several  days,  it  is  fair  to  conclude  that  the 
crisis  is  not  reached.  Should  the  temperature  rise  still  higher  it 
generally  leads  one  to  conclude  that  matters  are  rather  worse  than 
better;  again,  if  the  thermometer  shows  a  rapid  fall  in  tempera- 
ture and  registers  below  the  98.5  degrees,  .say  95  or  96  degrees,  it 


DIAGNOSIS.  23 

is  almost  a  certain  indication  that  nature  has  entirely  given  way 
and  death  is  at  hand;  but  the  most  favorable  indications,  judged 
thermometrically,  are  when  the  temperature,  after  attaining  the 
maximum,  gradually  drops  a  few  decimals  of  a  degree  every  day 
until  the  normal  98.5  degrees  is  again  reached  and  nature's 
balance  is  restored. 

Pulse. — Next  to  the  temperature  of  the  body  as  registered  by 
the  thermometer  the  state  of  the  pulse  ranks  in  importance;  but 
considerable  practice  and  experience  is  called  for,  otherwise  too 
much  may  be  made  of  certain  indications  on  the  one  hand  and  too 
little  on  the  other;  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  state  that  the  pulsations 
of  an  arter\'  indicate  the  contractions  or  beats  of  the  heart,  which, 
according  to  circumstances,  may  vary  in  rapidity  within  a  given 
time;  also  in  rapidity  and  degree  between  the  beats;  in  hardness, 
softness,  wiriness,  or  fullness,  according  to  the  amount  of  blood 
pressure;  in  the  interval  occurring  between  the  several  beats, 
whether  regular  or  irregular,  and,  if  the  latter,  in  the  form  the 
irregularity  assumes.  The  ordinary  number  of  beats  or  pulsations 
in  the  healthy  horse  varies  from  36  to  40,  though  occasionally  a 
slow,  lieavy-dispositioned  animal,  who  is  not  easily  disturbed,  may 
be  found  with  a  pulse  of  32;  on  the  contrary  an  irritable,  nervous 
horse  will  have  a  normally  healthy  pulse  of  45.  This  variation  in 
character  and  mental  impression  in  the  horse  demands  thoughtful 
consideration  and  due  allowance  to  be  made  when  about  to  take 
the  pulse;  if  the  horse  is  naturally  unconcerned  and  immovable 
no  great  caution  is  called  for  when  approaching  him  for  the  pur- 
pose of  testing  the  pulse:  but  if,  on  the  contrary,  he  is  naturally 
excitable  and  nervous  it  is  well  to  spend  a  few  minutes  in  gently 
talking  to  him  with  a  view  to  gaining  his  confidence  and  allowing 
time  for  the  heart,  which  has  probably  been  considerably  accele- 
rated in  its  action,  to  slow  down  to  the  condition  in  which  it  was 
before  3'ou  entered  the  stall  or  box;  by  the  exercise  of  such  care 
only  can  you  discover  all  you  want  to  learn  from  the  pulsation  of 
the  heart;  and  inasmuch  as  it  is  impossible  for  a  layman  to  esti- 
mate correctly  the  difference  in  the  various  pulsations  and  the 
relative  meaning  of  any  variation  from  the  normal  standard  so  as 
to  differentiate  between  a  structurally  diseased  heart  and  one  that 
is  merely  affected  sympathetically,  it  would  be  wise  of  every  horse 
owner,  trainer  and  stableman  to  practice  periodically  the  taking  of 


24  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

the  pulse  in  a  healthy  horse,  as  he  will  be  able  at  all  events  to  dis- 
tinguish between  a  healthy  pulse  and  one  that  indicates  a  dis- 
ordered state  of  the  system,  and  this,  after  all,  is  about  as  mucii 
as  a  lay  horseman  can  expect  to  attain  to;  there  are  three  special 
things  to  be  observed  in  taking  the  pulse,  namely,  the  number  of 
beats  per  minute,  which  in  health  will  on  the  average  be  33  to  40; 
the  regularity  in  the  time  between  one  beat  and  the  next;  and  the 
even  state  of  the  blood  pressure  in  the  artery  rendering  it  uniformly 
compressible;  the  following  variations  from  the  normal  may  be 
observable,  viz:  hard  and  full;  soft  and  full;  intermittent;  irregular 
as  to  compressibility;  weak,  thin,  small,  wiry,  thready;  oppressed, 
by  which  is  understood  a  very  full  artery  with  a  very  in- 
distinct pulsation;  and  the  hard,  throbbing  pulse,  which  is  sug- 
gestive of  acute  inflammation  in  some  organ;  finally  there  is  the 
exceptionally  slow  pulse,  which,  when  present  in  an  animal  that 
has  in  health  a  pulse  of  normal  speed  and  regularit}',  suggests 
brain  disease. 

The  artery,  which  is  most  usually  selected  for  pulse  taking,  is 
that  known  as  the  submaxillary;  it  will  be  found  winding  round 
the  angle  of  the  jaw  in  company  with  the  vein  and  the  duct  of 
the  parotid  gland,  from  which  two  vessels  it  must  be  distinguished; 
the  artery  is  almost  always,  if  not  invariably,  found  situate  in 
front  of  the  duct  and  vein,  and  will  be  found  to  be  the  most  firm 
and  elastic  of  the  three;  another  artery  which  may  conveniently 
be  used  for  the  purpose  is  the  radial;  it  is  situate  higher  up,  inside 
the  forelegs,  and  will  be  felt  just  in  front  of  the  elbow-joint  by 
introducing  the  fingers  between  the  leg  and  the  breast;  this  SLVtery 
is  also  accompanied  by  a  vein.  The  two  central  fingers,  or  the 
second  and  third,  are  the  best  to  take  the  pulse  with,  and  these 
should  be  laid  transversely  along  the  artery  wuth  just  sufficient 
pressure  thereon  to  enable  the  operator  to  observe  the  number  of 
beats  per  minute,  which  should  be  told  off  with  a  stop-watch 
having  a  large  second-hand.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  to  care- 
fully distinguish  between  an  artery  and  a  vein,  as  in  the  latter  no 
pulse  is  observable  for  anatomical  reasons  that  do  not  call  for  ex- 
planation here,  suffice  it  to  say  that  it  is  the  artery  that  must  be 
relied  upon. 

Another  very  satisfactory  method  of  checking  off  the  number 
of  heart  beats  per  minute  is  to  have  the  near  foreleg  pulled  right 


DIAGNOSIS.  25 

forward  and  place  your  right  ear  against  the  side  of  the  breast, 
when  you  will  distinctly  hear  the  beat  of  the  double  heart;  that  is  to 
say,  you  hear  the  closing  of  the  valves  of  the  uppsr  part  of  the 
heart  first,  immediately  followed  by  the  closing  of  the  valves  of 
the  lo'.vjr  half  of  tlis  heart;  these  two  sounds  have  to  be  counted  as 
one  in  calculating  the  pulsations  of  the  artery;  but  the  plan  affords 
a  very  nice  check  in  case  of  irregularity  of  the  pulsations  and  if 
the  substance  of  the  heart  or  its  valves  are  at  fault,  it  is  the  more 
readily  observed  by  this  method  of  auscultation  or  listening  to  the 
heart's  sounds.  In  utilizing  the  pulse  for  purposes  of  diagnosis 
it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  while  frequency  of  beat  is  always 
present  in  cases  of  acute  fever  and  in  inflammation  of  the  internal 
organs,  and  may  be  relied  upon  as  a  certain  indication  of  disease, 
provided  the  frequency  is  maintained  for  any  length  of  time — say 
some  hours — still  it  must  be  remembered  that  teniporar\^  altera- 
tion in  the  action  of  the  heart  may  be  brought  on  by  violent  ex- 
ertion, by  excitement,  or  even  by  indigestion  after  partaking  too 
freel)^  of  food  on  an  empty  stomach,  as  in  the  case  of  a  hunter  after 
a  long  day  or  a  cart  horse  that  has  had  many  consecutive  hours  of 
work,  all  of  which  must  be  taken  into  calculation  in  estimating 
the  importance  and  bearing  of  any  deviation  from  the  recognized 
healthy  standard  of  the  pulse. 

Respiration. — One  of  the  first  things  that  attracts  the  atten- 
tion of  a  practical  horseman  to  the  fact  that  there  is  something 
wrong  with  an  animal,  is  that  the  horse  is  blowing,  but  it  is  very 
easy  to  attach  either  too  much  or  too  little  impDrtance  to  the  ir- 
regular performance  of  this  function;  it  has  this  advantage,  how- 
ever, that  whereas  other  indications  of  present  or  coming  illness 
might  easily  be  overlooked  until  well  established,  the  acceleration 
of  the  performance  of  the  act  of  breathing  generally  commences 
as  soon  as  the  horse  begins  to  feel  unwell,  and  in  this  way  it 
serves  as  a  warning  to  the  stableman  that  some  attention  is  called 
for;  under  such  circumstances  the  first  thing  to  do  is  to  take  the 
temperature  and  then  the  pulse;  the  best  place  to  observe  the 
number,  and  in  a  certain  degree,  the  character  of  the  respirations  is 
the  flank;  the  normally  healthy  horse  breathes  as  a  rule  thirteen 
times  in  sixty  s2conds.  While  in  health  there  is  a  fairly  uniform  re- 
lationship between  the  act  of  breathing  and  the  pulsation  of  the 
heart,   because  of  the  interchange  of  chemical  products  which 


26  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

takes  place  between  the  air  and  the  blood  as  the  former  passes  in 
and  out  of  the  lungs,  it  is  a  singular  fact  that  in  disease  this  uni- 
form relationship  is  not  maintained;  for  instance,  in  the  earlier 
stages  of  a  disease  the  pulse  may  have  risen  to  85  or  90 
beats  per  minute;  the  temperature  stand  at  105  degrees  and 
the  breathing  be  fifty  respirations  a  minute;  in  the  course  of 
twenty-four  or  thirty-six  hours  the  respiration  may  have  dropped 
to  25  per  minute,  while  the  state  of  the  pulse  and  tempera- 
ture are  only  slightly  changed;  or,  on  the  other  hand,  the  tem- 
perature might  have  dropped  to  say  103  degrees  and  the  pulse  to 
60  without  any  decrease  in  the  number  of  respirations;  from 
this  fact  it  will  be  seen  that  uniformity  of  action  on  the  part  of  the 
the  heart  and  the  lungs  must  not  be  always  anticipated,  nor  need 
the  absence  of  the  uniformity  cause  too  much  anxiety;  it  is  a 
proof,  however,  that  nothing  must  be  left  to  casual  observation, 
nor  must  you  allow  5"0urself  to  be  misled  by  the  mere  fact  that  on 
the  one  hand  the  horse  is  the  better  because  he  breathes  less  fre- 
quently, or  that  he  is  no  better  because  his  respirations  continue 
unaltered  in  frequenc3\  It  must  also  be  remembered  that  the 
character  of  the  act  of  breathing  differs;  on  the  one  hand  you 
have  what  is  called  abdominal  breathing,  this  is  effected  by  the 
contraction  of  the  muscles  of  the  abdomen  and  is  most  noticeable 
in  the  flank;  again  there  is  the  chest  breathing  and  whichever  of 
these  two  classes  of  breathing  predominates  and  are  most  clearh- 
observable  it  indicates  that  the  other  is  the  seat  of  disease  because 
the  muscles  of  the  diseased  portion  of  the  organism  cannot  act 
properly  and  so  the  burden  of  the  respiratory  act  is  thrown  on  the 
other  part,  namely,  either  the  cavity  of  the  chest  where  the  lungs 
are  located,  or  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen,  the  part  where  the 
intestines  are  situated.  There  is  one  special  form  of  breathing  in 
the  horse  which  deserves  notice  in  passing  because  it  serves  as 
a  distinct  evidence  of  that  condition  known  as  ''  broken-zvi?id;" 
the  inspiration  or  act  of  drawing  in  the  air,  and  the  expiration  or 
the  act  of  sending  out  the  air  are  not  regular,  but  spasmodic  in 
expiration;  this  will  be  observed  by  noticing  a  line  along  the 
course  of  the  flank  as  though  the  muscles  were  tightly  drawn 
together  every  time  the  air  is  expired  and  this  line  is  seen  to  move 
like  a  wave  along  its  course  with  two  distinct  efforts  of  expiration; 
at  the  same  time  the  horse  is  troubled  with  a  peculiar  cough;  this, 


DIAGNOSIS.  27 

however,  is  only  mentioned  in  passing;  the  fuller  particulars  will 
be  gone  into  under  the  proper  heading. 

When  the  abdominal  breathing  is  very  pronounced  and  you 
have  therefore  an  indication  that  the  thoracic  cavity  is  the  seat  of 
the  disease,  namely,  that  either  congestion  of  the  lungs,  or  bron- 
chitis or  pleurisy,  or  worse  still,  all  three  combined  are  present,  then 
your  attention  must  be  given  to  find  out  by  what  is  called 
auscultation,  (or  listening  to  the  sounds)  of  the  chest,  by  apply- 
ing the  ear  to  both  sides  of  the  horse;  the  chest,  roughl}^ 
speaking,  being  included  in  that  portion  of  the  body  which  is  en- 
closed within  the  ribs,  and  whereas  the  lungs  occupy  a  consider- 
able space,  they  offer  a  rather  large  surface  for  examination,  for 
which  reason  the  ear  should  be  carefully  applied  to  various  parts 
of  the  chest  in  order  to  be  sure  which  portion  of  the  lungs,  and 
whether  only  one  is  affected,  or  both  are.  As  recommended  in 
the  case  of  taking  the  temperature  and  the  pulse,  an  amateur 
would  do  well  to  practice  carefully  on  healthy  animals  so  as  to 
learn  what  the  normal  sounds  of  the  chest  are,  and  this  will  en- 
able him  the  more  readily  to  discern  anything  out  of  the  common 
when  disease  is  present.  It  is  very  important  that  the  operation 
should  be  practiced  in  a  perfectly  quiet  place  so  that  the  attention 
of  neither  operator  nor  patient  is  distracted.  As  there  would  be 
no  practical  utility  in  going  deeply  and  closely  into  a  definition  of 
all  the  recognized  deviations  from  the  healthy  standard  of  breath- 
ing in  the  horse,  and  it  will  be  sufficient  for  the  purpose  of  this 
work  to  endeavor  to  explain  two  or  three  of  the  most  noticeable 
departures  from  the  normal,  it  is  essential  to  a  clear  understand- 
ing that  the  sounds  observable  in  health  should  be  explained; 
shortly,  they  represent  an  even,  soft  murmur  like  the  gentle  rust- 
ling of  thick  foliage  on  a  quiet  summer's  night  listened  to  at  a 
distance;  the  sound  pitch  is  much  the  same  during  both  inspira- 
tion and  expiration,  though  it  must  be  distinctly  understood  that 
between  the  two  acts  a  pause  takes  place;  the  character  of  the 
sound  has  also  been  likened  to  that  produced  by  gently  rubbing 
two  pieces  of  silk  together.  In  contra-distinction  to  the  soft 
respirator}'  murmur  heard  in  a  health}'  animal,  modifications  of  the 
same  will  be  observable  in  disease;  the  sounds  may  be  harsh  and 
roiii^h,  suggestive  of  inflammation  of  the  lungs;  deep  in  tone,  in- 
dicating the  early  stages  of  bronchitis  when  the  larger  tubes  are 


28  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

first  affected.  Should  this  condition  remain  unchecked  and  the 
disease  extend  to  the  finer  ramifications  of  the  very  small  bronchial 
tubes  the  sound  will  become  high  pitched  like  a  whistle  pipe. 
Further  the  sounds  may  convey  the  impression  that  the  air  is 
passing  over  something  dry  or  that  rough  substances  are  being 
rubbed  together,  while  on  the  contrary  the  sounds  may  represent 
air  bubbles  passing  through  a  liquid. 

The  dry,  grating  sound  is  generally  observed  in  the  earlier 
stages  of  respiratory  disease,  and  hence  precedes  the  moist 
sounds;  the  latter  suggest  the  presence  of  mucus,  blood  or  pus  in 
the  cavities  of  the  bronchial  tubes.  A  still  further  modification 
in  the  respiratory  murmur  is  a  crackling  sound  like  the  breaking 
of  small  sticks;  this  again  may  be  followed  by  a  gurgling  or  drip- 
ping sound  like  the  dropping  of  fluid  into  fluid;  these  conditions 
are  generally  present  in  cases  of  pleurisy,  and  this  diagnosis  may 
frequently  be  confirmed  b}^  observing  that  the  acts  of  inspiration 
and  expiration  are  not  regular  as  in  health,  but  catchy,  short  and 
very  irregular. 

There  is  still  one  more  abnormality  in  the  chest  sounds,  which, 
though  very  infrequent  still  invoU'es  such  serious  consequences  if 
not  recognized  and  properly  treated,  that  passing  notice  must  be 
granted  it;  reference  is  made  to  that  sound  which  is  represented 
'better  than  anything  else  by  the  tenn  cavernous,  namely,  like  the 
sounds  emitted  from  a  hollow  cavern  in  the  rocks;  and  this  des- 
cription is  very  appropriate  as  these  particular  sounds  never  occur 
unless  a  cavity,  due  to  an  abscess,  is  present  in  one  of  the  lungs, 
the  abscess  being  a  sequel  usually,  though  not  invariably,  to  in- 
flammation of  the  lungs  in  the  horse;  one  very  unmistakeable  char- 
acteristic of  this  condition  is,  however,  almost  alwaj^s  present, 
nsLtnely,  ''stinking  breath,'"  which  seems  to  impregnate  the  whole 
atmosphere  of  the  stable.  There  are  other  sounds  associated  with 
respiration  that  have  not  immediate  relation  to  the  the  lungs  but 
may  be  due  to  other  parts  of  the  respiratory  tract  or  to  the  supply 
of  nervous  force  thereto,  such  as  grunting,  roaring,  whistling, 
coughing,  broken  wind,  .shortness  of  breath  and  so  on,  but  it  is 
not  necessary  to  deal  with  these  here,  as  they  will,  with  sufficient 
treatment,  have  to  be  considered  under  separate  headings,  more- 
over, every  practical  horseman  can  recognize  them  without  the 
necessity  of  any  suggestions  here.     So  far  the  consideration  nf 


DIAGNOSIS.  29 

aids  to  diagnosis,  or  how  to  find  out  what  ails  the  animal,  have 
been  confined  to  temperature,  pulse  and  respiration;  now  we  must 
proceed  to  note  other  evidences  of  illness  as  they  present  them- 
selves in  the  patient;  in  other  words,  we  want  to  get  at  the  S3'mp- 
toms;  not  merely  one  or  two  of  those  most  easily  observed,  but 
the  totality,  the  whole  of  them;  this  is  most  important,  and  calls 
for  the  exercise  of  patience,  time  and  keen  observation. 

Assuming  first  that  the  temperature  is  high,  say  104  or  105  de- 
grees, and  the  pulse  and  respirations  rapid,  it  is  fair  to  conclude  that 
we  have  to  contend  with  some  disease  in  an  acute  form;  next,  we 
must,  if  possible,  determine  whether  the  whole  system  is  involved, 
and  if  so,  what  class  of  disease  we  have  to  contend  against,  or 
whether  some  particular  organ  or  organs,  say  the  kidneys,  or  the 
liver,  are  implicated  and  the  brunt  of  the  disease  settled  therein; 
to  assist  one  to  form  a  conclusion  as  to  which,  if  either,  of  the 
organs  is  invaded,  we  have  in  the  case  of  the  kidneys  the  condi- 
tion of  the  urine  to  be  noted,  examined,  and  perhaps  tested  by 
an  analytical  chemist  if  such  an  one  is  available,  or  if  the  liver  is 
the  chief  seat  of  disease,  the  yellow  color  of  the  mucous  mem- 
branes of  the  eyes,  nose  and  mouth  serve  to  point  to  this  organ; 
moreover,  in  confirmation  of  this  suggestion  as  to  the  liver,  it  is 
very  frequently  found  that  the  faeces  (or  dung)  are  pale  in  color 
and  very  fluid  in  consistence,  excoriating  the  surface  of  the  skin 
wherever  the  faeces  happen  to  touch;  the  urine,  also,  will  be  of  a 
deep  orange  color;  in  addition  to  these  objective  sj^mptoms  there 
is  a  very  important  subjective  symptom  to  be  noted;  on  the  right . 
or  off  side  of  the  horse  just  behind  the  ribs  is  the  seat  of  a  promi- 
nent portion  of  the  liver,  if  you  press  this  with  the  ends  of  your 
fingers  you  will  be  able  to  learn  whether  there  is  anj^  pain  or  ten- 
derness of  the  organ,  as  the  horse  will  tell  you  by  flinching,  or  in 
an  acute  case  by  grunting;  care,  however,  must  be  taken  to  dis- 
criminate between  animals  that  are  naturally  touchy  and  do  not 
care  to  be  handled  at  all,  otherwise  you  may  be  misled;  should 
it  be  clear  on  pressure  that  pain  is  e.Kperienced,  it  is  fair  to  assume 
that  congestion  of  the  liver  is  present.  In  further  examining  a 
patient  it  is  well  to  look  at  the  lining  membrane  of  the  nose  and 
eyes  and  note  the  condition;  whether  it  is  dry  or  abnormallv 
moist;  whether  the  color  is  the  healthy  pink  or  whether  on  the 
other  hand  it  is  blue  and  leaden  or  of  a  bright  verraillion,  either 


30  VETERIXARV    HOMCEOPATHY. 

of  which  is  suggestive  of  mischief;  proceed  next  to  the  glands 
between  the  jaws  and  also  the  parotid  gland,  wdiich  lies  just  be- 
hind either  jaw  from  the  bottom  of  the  ears  downwards,  i-f  the 
glands  are  clearly  perceptible  to  the  touch,  being  either  hard  and 
knotty,  or  soft,  swollen  and  tender,  it  is  clear  that  these  symptoms 
will  have  to  be  taken  into  account.  That  portion  of  the  poll, 
just  between  and  slightly  posterior  to  the  ears,  should  be  exam- 
ined, for  when  the  injury  known  as  '' poll  evil  "  has  advanced  to 
the  stage  of  suppuration  (  formation  of  matter ),  it  affects  the  ner- 
vous system  of  the  horse  to  such  a  degree  that  he  appears  very 
dull,  heavy  and  generally  ill,  and  no  doubt  feels  so,  and  very 
much  more  than  mere  surgical  interference  is  called  for  here;  the 
same  remarks  apply  with  equal  force  to  a  case  of  fistulous  withers, 
which  are  brought  on  generally  by  badly  fitting  saddles,  and  occa- 
sionally collars;  it  is  very  important  in  such  cases  as  these  or  in 
those  affecting  any  other  part  of  the  body  where  injury  has  been 
sustained  and  serious  inflammation  set  up,  followed  by  suppura- 
ion  (formation  of  matter),  to  regularly  take  the  animal's  temper- 
ature, as  the  formation  of  matter  generally  affects  the  whole  sys- 
tem, makes  the  animal  feel  ill  and  unless  properly  treated  with  a 
remedy  which  is  capable  of  arresting  the  formation  of  matter 
(pus),  serious  consequences  may  and  do  frequently  follow  if  such 
means  are  not  adopted;  and  the  body  temperature  is  a  guide  to 
tell  one  whether  the  tendency  to  form  pus  is  arrested  or  not;  if 
not,  the  temperature  will  either  continue  to  rise,  or  if  previously 
high,  will  be  maintained;  on  the  other  hand  if  it  graduall}^  falls, 
one  is  justified  in  the  conclusion  that  the  tendency  to  form  pus  is 
arrested,  and  that  the  existing  abscess  will  speedily  ripen  and  dis- 
charge itself  and  thereafter  the  cavity  heal  up;  it  may  be  well  to 
remark  in  passing  here,  lest  the  idea  should  be  conveyed  that  the 
internal  administration  of  the  suitable  drug  should  be  solely 
relied  upon,  that  antiseptic  local  treatment  may  also  be  advan- 
tageously adopted;  indeed  it  is  absolutely  necessary  where,  as  in 
fistulous  withers,  the  opposing  walls  of  the  sinus  (or  cavity), 
come  constantly  in  contact,  because  the  living  organisms  which 
certainly  encourage  the  further  development  of  pus  require  to  be 
destroyed,  hence  the  internal  and  the  local  treatment  should  go 
hand  in  hand.  One  is  not  less  important  and  necessary  than  the 
other,  if  a  rapid  and  complete  cure  is  to  be  effected;  it  should, 


DIAGNOSIS.  31 

however,  be  distinctly  understood  that  homoeopathic  practi- 
tioners are  alone  able  to  apply  this  double-barrelled  system  for  the 
simple  reason  that  in  such  cases  allopathists  rely  solely  upon 
local  and  surgical  treatment  and  indeed  know  nothing  of  the 
remedies  honioeopathists  use  for  arresting  the  formation  of  pus  in 
the  body. 

To  proceed  with  your  inquiry,  it  should  be  the  aim  to  discover 
if  the  horse  has  any  pain,  and,  if  so,  where.  When  the  pain  is 
located  in  some  part  of  the  abdomen  (or  belly),  the  horse  more 
frequently  than  not  lies  down,  rolls,  all  of  a  sudden  jumps  up  and 
turns  his  head  to  one  or  other  side,  and,  perhaps,  if  very  acute, 
will  snap  at  or  try  to  bite  the  place  where  the  pain  is  most  severe; 
these  are  the  methods  the  horse  has  of  telling  where  the  pain  is 
situated,  and,  of  course,  it  points  to  some  portion  of  the  intestinal 
tract  (or  gutj,  or  to  some  organ,  as  kidneys,  liver,  spleen,  etc., 
located  in  the  abdomen  and  among  the  intestines,  or  it  may  be 
to  the  presence  of  a  calculus  (or  .stone)  in  the  intestines;  having 
this  guide  you  will  then  be  in  a  position  to  find  out  from  other 
symptoms  what  has  to  be  contended  with  and  how  to  proceed. 

There  is  one  practice  very  common  amongst  veterinary  surgeons, 
as  well  as  stableman,  in  cas^s  that  so  frequently  occur  among 
draught  horses  which  the  author,  from  practical  experience, 
strongly  condemns,  namely,  the  custom  of  keeping  a  horse  con- 
tinually on  the  move  when  suffering  from  any  pain  that  naturally 
induces  him  to  roll.  ''Keep  him  on  his  legs^"'  the  man  says:  ''don't 
Jet  hint  era  doivn  !  "  The  author  condemns  the  practice  as  absolute 
nonsense  on  the  one  hand  and  gross  cruelty  on  the  other,  for  by 
preventing  a  horse  from  rolling,  you  frustrate  the  only  thing  he 
can  do  to  afford  himself  some  measure  of  relief;  by  one's  own 
experience  when  suffering  from  the  "belly-ache^'"  it  is  quite  certain 
that  relief  does  follow  a  good  roll,  and  if  in  the  man,  why  not  in 
the  horse  ? 

The  advocate  of  the  ' '  kcehinr  on  the  leo^s  ' '  principle  will  tell  you 
that  to  allow  a  horse  to  roll  involves  the  risk  of  a  twisted  gut;  but 
where  is  the  proof?  If  a  horse  that  afterwards  died  proved  to 
have  a  twisted  gut,  it  is  most  probable  that  the  twisted  gut  was 
the  cause  of  the  pain  and  not  the  result  of  a  roll  while  the  pain 
was  on;  the  "twist"  more  than  likely  having  been  made  when 
the  horse  was  called  upon  for  some  extra  exertion  in  pulling  a 


32  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY, 

heavy  load.  No  !  Whenever  your  horse  has  pain  that  induces 
him  to  roll,  take  off  his  halter  and  all  his  clothing,  put  him  into  a 
big,  loose  box,  or  open  yard,  where  there  is  plenty  of  straw  and 
let  him  roll  to  his  heart's  content,  j^ou  in  the  interim  watching 
that  he  does  not  get  cast  on  his  back,  and  doing  what  j^ou  can  by 
the  administration  of  suitable  remedies,  or  rather  a  suitable  remedy, 
to  remove  the  cause  of  the  pain.  There  is  one  very  suggestive 
habit  a  horse  has,  particularly  when  he  is  in  a  loose  box,  if  he  is 
the  subject  of  a  calculus  (or  stone,)  in  the  intestines,  namely, 
that  of  pressing  his  hindquarters  firmly  against  the  wall,  and  all 
the  while  straining  as  though  he  were  going  to  have  a  motion. 
Horses  will  frequentl}^  rest  their  heads  sideways  on  the  manger, 
or  against  the  wall;  in  such  cases  look  out  for  diseased  molar 
teeth  or  brain  disease;  the  former  can  readily  be  discovered  by 
examination,  and  the  latter  may  be  partially  confirmed  if  the 
pupils  of  the  eyes  are  either  very  much  dilated  or  contracted. 

Another  very  suggestive  subjective  symptom  occurs  when  the 
horse  poses  himself  repeatedly,  as  in  the  act  of  urination  and 
probably  strains  as  though  he  wanted  to  pass  water  which  in  all 
probability  he  does;  in  such  cases  the  condition  of  the  urine  will 
furnish  the  confirmatorj'  indication  required. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  state  that  the  condition  of  the  faeces  (or 
dung)  is  an  all  important  physical  symptom  which  serves  as  a 
guide  in  many  instances  to  disorders  of  the  digestive  system,  and 
under  this  head  it  will  be  necessary  to  look  for  information  herein, 
before  deciding  what  to  do.  There  is  one  point  that  almost  invari- 
ably exercises  the  mind  of  a  horseman;  indeed  the  subject  is  one 
that  causes  great  anxiety  to  almost  all  men,  whether  it  effects 
themselves  or  their  charges;  we  refer  to  constipation  of  the  bowels; 
this  matter  will  be  dealt  with  in  its  proper  place  and  merely  in 
passing  do  we  wish  to  draw  your  attention  to  the  fact,  because 
there  really  is  no  necessity  in  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  a  hundred 
to  be  so  wonderfully  concerned  if  the  excretion  of  the  faeces  is 
temporarily  suppressed;  how  to  get  over  this  difficulty  will  be  ex- 
plained under  its  proper  heading,  and  it  will  be  found  that  this 
object  can  be  attained  without  the  usually  violent  measures  of 
purgation. 

Roughly  speaking  the  foregoing  are  some  of  the  most  prom- 
inent   indications    by    which  a  horseman    may    discover    what 


DIAGNOSIS.  33 

disease  he  has  to  refer  to,  and  therefore  the  line  of  treatment  to 
be  adopted  in  cas2s  of  iUness;  much  remains  for  him  to  find  out, 
and  there  is  a  great  call  for  the  exercise  of  common  sense;  still  it 
is  hoped  that  this  chapter,  taken  in  conjunction  with  the  list  of 
predominant  s>niptoms  and  the  chapters  specially  dealing  with 
each  disease  in  the  body  of  the  work,  will  go  very  far  to  en- 
able one,  who  is  a  real  obser\-er,  to  alleviate  the  pains  and  suffer- 
ings which  so  frequently  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  horse,  especially  the 
hard-working  animal,  that  contributes  so  largely  to  the  material 
prosperity  of  his  owner,  from  whom  he  deserves  the  utmost  care 
and  consideration  that  an  intelligent  human  being  can  lavish  upon 
one  who  is  entirel}'  dependent  for  the  most  ordinary  comforts  of 
an  e^iistence  upon  his  forethought  and  provision. 


THE  STRENGTH  of  DRUGS  and  the  DOSE. 


The  subjects  which  we  propose  to  treat  of  in  this  division  of 
our  work  demand  the  careful  and  thoughtful  consideration  of  any 
and  all  who  would  turn  to  best  account  the  information  we  hope 
to  offer  to  our  readers  and  students;  the  term  ' '  strength  of  drugs  ' ' 
is  here  adopted  not  because  it  strictly  represents  the  author's 
views  or  is  by  any  means  a  correct  description  of  the  various, 
pharmaceutical  processes  to  which  all  drugs,  other  than  those  in 
the  absolutely  crude  form,  should  be  submitted  by  the  honest  hom- 
oeopathic pharmaceutical  druggist;  we  repeat  it  is  not  because  the 
term  is  a  correct  one  that  we  use  it,  but  because  to  the  untrained 
mind  of  the  layman  it  more  nearly  conveys  the  idea  which  he  has 
been  accustomed  to  accept  as  the  explanation  of  the  various 
potencies  or  attenuations  which  all  who  have  accepted  Homoeo- 
pathy as  their  law  in  medicine  are  acquainted  with;  at  the  same 
time  we  shall  try  and  explain  why  we  do  not  consider  it  a  correct 
term  to  use,  and  further  why  it  is  calculated  rather  to  mislead. 
It  has  been  already  stated  that  potencies  and  dosage  have  nothing 
to  do  with  the  law  "  Similia  Similibus  Curantur,"  nor  do  they  in 
the  slightest  degree  bear  upon  the  true  meaning  of  the  principle 
laid  down  by  Hahnemann.  This  fact  cannot  be  too  strongly  em- 
phasized by  the  author  nor  remembered  too  often  by  the  reader,- 
potencies  and  dosage  are  merely  matters  of  experience;  it  has 
been  found  that  all  drugs,  generally,  and  some  more  than  others, 
are  far  more  effective  in  their  action — the  same  being  more  prompt, 
deci-sive  and  permanent — after  being  submitted  to  the  various  pro- 
cesses which  will  now  be  explained.  In  the  first  place  let  us 
point  out  that  the  homoeopathic  druggist  has  to  be  mathemati- 
cally precise  if  he  is  to  do  his  work  correctly  and  according  to  the 
rule  of  the  homoeopathic  pharmacy;  to  this  end  two  forms  of 
calculation  have  been  adopted  in  the  reduction  of  drugs,  the  cen- 
tesimal and  the  decimal;  these  words  explain  their  own  meaning: 
and  here  it  may  be  pointed  out  in  passing,  that  although  the  term 

34 


THE  STRENGTH  OF  DRUGS  AND  THE  DOSE.         35 

^^ potencies  "  has  so  far  been  adopted,  it  is  far  too  closely  allied  in 
meaning  to  the  word  ' '  strength  ' '  to  which  we  have  already  taken 
exception,  to  be  further  used;  our  object  has  been  to  gradually 
bring  the  student  round  to  understand  the  application  of  the  term 
"ATTENUATION,"  upon  which  we  shall  hereafter  rely  in  describ- 
ing the  fractional  minuteness  and  the  infinitesimal  quantity  of  the 
various  drug  preparations — and  it  is  certainly  not  used  here  in  the 
sense  applied  to  it  in  the  British  Homoeopathic  Pharmacopoeia  as 
indicating  that  the  specific  attenuation  contains  more  or  less  of  the 
crude  material,  but  rather  that  it  indicates  the  extent  to  which 
the  drug  has  been  attenuated,  pulverized,  dynamized  and  diffused, 
by  which  means  its  power  has  been  developed:  the  prevailing 
idea  that  the  stronger  the  drug  is  in  the  possession  of  its  natural 
qualifications  for  producing  specific  effects  on  the  healthy  organ- 
ism, the  better  and  more  reliable  it  is  for  administration  to  the 
sick,  has  long  been  exploded,  even  among  allopathists,  if  we  are 
to  accept  their  prescriptions  as  illustrative  of  their  simple  faith: 
but  homoeopathists,  especially  those  who  possess  faith  enough  to 
follow  strictly  all  the  tenets  of  their  master,  Hahnemann,  have 
discovered  that  drugs  in  their  crude,  and  therefore  physiologically 
strongest  condition,  do  not  best  serve  the  purposes  of  the  healing 
art;  indeed,  those  who  are  most  skeptical  on  this  point  will 
admit  the  illustration  which  common  Sulphur  furnishes  in  support 
of  this  statement,  for  it  is  a  well-known  fact  that  this  agent  will 
pass  through  the  system  practically  unaltered  in  its  crude  state, 
but  after  it  has  been  submitted  to  the  various  processes  of  attenu- 
ation up  to  the  thirtieth  centesimal,  and  much  higher  still,  the 
effects  it  will  produce  upon  the  system  is  simply  marvellous;  if 
with  Sulphur  why  not  any  other  drug  you  can  name  ?  Some  one 
may  say  that  its  inertness  in  the  crude  form  accounts  for  this,  but 
that  argument  does  not  seem  to  meet  the  case,  as  any  one  who 
will  think  for  a  moment  will  readih'  decide.  Before  offering  our 
reasons  for  the  greater  utility  of  the  attenuations  which  we  claim 
to  exist,  we  must  hark  back  to  a  description  of  the  processes  the 
drugs  should  undergo  that  the  student  ma}-  the  better  appreciate 
the  importance  of  obtaining  the  exact  attenuation  prescribed. 
For  the  sake  of  brevity  and  conciseness  let  it  be  understood  that 
the  drugs  used  in  pharmaceutical  preparations  exist  in  two  forms, 
the  fluid  represented  by  tinctures  and  the  solid  represented  by 


36  VETERIXARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

powders  or  triturations;  the  vehicle  used  for  reduction  of  fluids 
generally  consists  of  alcohol,  that  for  solids  consists  of  sugar  of 
milk:  in  preparing  the  liquid  attenuations  the  process  starts  at  a 
fixed  standard,  which  in  preparing  from  the  vegetable  substance 
the  druggist  understands  how  to  fix  uniformly  and  describes  as 
the  mother  tinctures:  from  this  mother  tincture  the  centesimal 
and  decimal  scales  are  prepared;  namely,  for  the  first  centesimal 
from  two  to  six  drops  of  tincture  are  mixed  with  ninety-four  to 
ninety-eight  drops  of  alcohol  according  to  drug  power  of  tinctures; 
for  the  second  centesimal  one  part  of  the  first  centesimal  (which 
is  recognized  by  the  plain  figure  of  one)  to  ninety-nine  of  alcohol 
and  so  on  from  one  attenuation  to  another  until  j'ou  attain  the 
thirtieth  or  two  hundredth;  the  same  proportion  is  adhered  to  in 
the  decimal  scale,  namely,  from  two  to  six  drops  of  tincture  are 
mixed  with  four  to  eight  drops  of  alcohol  according  to  drug  power 
of  tincture  and  so  on  through  each  series  up  to  the  thirtieth  deci- 
mal, each  attenuation  being  recognized  by  the  marks  ix,  2x,  3X, 
and  so  on  as  high  as  the  preparation  has  been  carried;  a  similar 
course  of  proceeding  is  adopted  with  the  solids  by  weight,  say 
ninety-nine  grains  of  sugar  of  milk  to  one  grain  of  the  crude  ma- 
terial for  the  centesimal  scale,  and  nine  grains  of  the  sugar  of  milk 
to  one  grain  of  the  drug  proper  for  the  decimal  scale,  and  so  on  with 
each  attenuation  as  high  as  the  dispenser  desires  to  carry  it.  But 
this  actual  measurement  by  no  means  exhausts  the  necessities  of 
the  process;  the  liquid  attenuations  have  to  be  submitted  to 
violent  shaking  or  succussion;  and  the  powders  have  to  be  sub- 
mitted to  an  exhaustive  course  of  trituration  or  pulverization  with 
pestle  and  mortar,  according  to  distinct  rules  fixed  by  Hahne- 
mann, and  even  if  these  processes  are  carried  far  beyond  the  limits 
assigned  by  the  great  master  no  harm  will  come  of  them;  it  is 
better  to  err  on  the  side  of  excess  than  the  other  way  about;  and 
to  show  why  this  is  the  case  we  will  proceed  to  explain  the 
advantage  derivable  from  these  various  processes.  During  each 
progressive  process  of  trituration  the  various  pirticles  of  the 
medicinal  agent  become  more  finely  divided,  and  the  author  is  of 
opinion  that  not  only  is  it  to  this  very  minute  subdivision  of 
particles  that  the  agent  derives  its  activity,  but  that  it  develops  an 
inherent  power  not  previously  possessed;  but  without  attempting 
to  reason  this  out  we  will  confine  ourselves  to  the  physical  aspect 


TIIK  STRENGTH  OF  DRUGS  AND  THE  DOSE.  37 

and  on  this  ground  furnish  a  reason  for  a  belief  in  the  greater 
activity  of  a  highly  attenuated  drug:  we  take  it  that  no  one  will 
question  the  assertion  that  six,  twelve  or  fifteen  processes  of  trit- 
uration must  of  necessity  reduce  the  particles  of  a  drug  more  and 
more  as  each  process  is  effected,  namel}',  that  those  particles  of  the 
drug  in  the  fifteenth  decimal  attenuation  would  require  a  much 
higher  power  of  the  microscope  to  discern  than  do  those  in  the 
third  decimal,  for  instance;  now  let  us  consider  in  what  way  med- 
icinal agents  so  broken  up  are  better  qualified  to  do  their  work 
than  those  administered  in  their  original  state.  To  this  end  we 
must  remember  that  the  various  parts  and  organs  of  the  body  are 
built  up  of  tissues  peculiar  thereto;  for  instance  muscle,  fat,  carti- 
lage, bone,  nerve,  etc.;  each  of  these  tissues  consists  of  special 
elements  varying  in  structure  and  density  but  in  all  alike,  not- 
withstanding their  various  modifications  as  recognized  by  the 
naked  eye,  can  be  traced  back  as  the  starting  point  of  their 
ultimate  structure  what  is  described  in  phj'siology  as  the  cell,  to 
■discover  w^hich  one  has  to  call  in  the  aid  of  a  microscope. 

Of  these  simple  materials  the  body  is  built  up,  and  before  a 
drug  can  exercise  its  own  peculiar  power  it  must  be  rendered 
capable  of  penetrating  the  walls  of  these  cells,  the  first  elements 
of  the  tissues  of  the  body;  and  whereas  the  cells  themselves  are 
so  small,  it  follows  as  a  natural  consequence  that  drugs  to  per- 
meate or  pass  to  them  must  be  reduced  to  a  condition  to  render 
such  a  process  phj'sically  possible:  to  further  illustrate  our  mean- 
ing, look  what  takes  place  in  the  vegetable  world  as  ordained  by 
the  great  power  that  made  and  rules  the  Universe;  how  do  plants 
appropriate  nutriment  which  comes  to  them  through  the  media  of 
rain,  sunshine  and  air?  It  is  generally  acknowledged  that  this 
takes  place  through  the  leaves  only,  if  }-ou  examine  a  leaf  under 
a  high  magnifying  power,  you  will  observe  that  the  surface  is 
studded  with  thousands  of  minute  openings;  microscopic  pores, 
and  through  these  the  rain  has  to  pass  if  the  chemical  products  it 
contains  are  to  be  utilized  as  nutriment;  can  a  drop  of  rain  pass 
through  these  ?  Certainly  not  !  But  nature  has  her  methods  and 
plans  of  attenuation;  each  drop  of  rain  the  size  of  a  pea  can  be 
broken  up  into  millions  upon  millions  of  molecules,  and  this  is 
effected  in  the  form  of  dew  or  condensed  vapor;  so  fine,  indeed, 
that  the  moisture  in  this  form  can  freely  pass  through  the  micro- 


38  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

scopical  orifices  on  the  surface  of  the  leaf  and  thus  reach  the 
primary  elements  of  plant  life;  what  saj's  the  "  Word''  on  this 
subject:  "J/)'  doctri7ic  shall  be  as  the  rain,  My  speech  shall  distil 
as  the  dezv  as  I  he  s)>iall  rain  upon  the  tender  herb.''  If  such  min- 
ute provision  has  to  be  made  in  nature's  laboratory  for  the  appro- 
priation of  ordinary  nutriment  in  the  vegetable  world,  should  it  be 
cause  for  surprise  that  at  least  a  similar  amount  of  care  and 
trouble  is  called  for  in  the  animal  world  when  the  healing  of  the 
sick  is  concerned! 

We  hope  that  this  simple  illustration  will  serve  to  point  a  lesson 
as  to  the  necessity  of  the  careful  attenuation  of  drugs  and  that  the 
importance  of  this  pharmaceutical  process,  peculiar  to  the  homoeo- 
pathist,  will  be  fully  appreciated.  Some  persons  have  an  idea 
that  animals  require  stronger  medicine,  and  very  much  more  of 
it  at  a  dose,  than  do  human  beings,  physiologically.  We  cannot 
now,  nor  ever  could,  see  a  reason  for  this,  and  experience  cer- 
tainly does  not  confirm  the  suggestion.  Some  allowance  cer- 
tainly is  made,  as  a  matter  of  practice,  for  size  and  bulk  of  body, 
but  whether  it  is  absolutely  necessary,  is  open  to  considerable 
doubt. 

The  adoption  of  the  word  ' '  strength  ' '  in  its  application  to  the 
various  processes  of  attenuation  is  apt  to  mislead  because  it  con- 
veys the  idea  only  of  the  relative  quantity  of  the  crude  drug 
present  in  the  preparation;  for  instance,  a  remedy  such  as  Arseni- 
cum marked  3.  means  that  the  preparation  contains  the  one  mil- 
lionth part  of  the  drug  arsenic;  in  other  words,  it  has  been  sub- 
mitted to  three  processes  of  trituration  on  the  centesimal  scale;  take 
Arsenicu?n  6x,  this,  like  the  former,  contains  the  one  millionth  part 
of  the  drug  arsenic  in  its  composition,  but  it  has  been  submitted 
to  six  processes  of  trituration  under  the  decimal  scale  in  conse- 
quence of  which  the  arsenic  in  this  form  must  be  worked  up  to  a 
much  finer  state  than  the  sample  that  has  only  been  triturated 
three  times,  and  according  to  the  author's  belief,  which  is  based 
on  practical  experience,  this  sample  under  the  decimal  scale  pos- 
sesses powers  of  action  which  that  under  the  centesimal  cannot 
have,  inasmuch  as  the  latter  has  only  been  triturated  three  times. 
So  far  for  the  attenuation  of  drugs;  we  will  now  pass  on  to  the 
dosage. 

As  a  rule  lo  the  larger  animals  such  as  the  horse,  it  is  usual  to 


THE  strp:ngth  of  drugs  and  thp:  dose.  39 

administer  from  ten  to  fifteen  drops  per  dose  whatever  the  at- 
tenuation, being  guided  more  by  the  condition  of  the  malady  — 
whether  the  same  is  acute  or  chronic — than  by  the  precise  at- 
tenuation of  the  drug.  In  very  acute  cases  such  as  those  of 
simple  fever  brought  on  by  exposure  to  the  sun  on  a  very  hot  day 
in  which  the  temperature  runs  up  rapidly  as  high  as  io6  degrees 
or  even  107  degrees — though  the  latter  is  considered  extremely 
suggestive  of  danger — the  drug  may  satisfactorily  be  given  in  the 
crude  form,  when  ten  drops  should  suffice;  but  these  are  rare 
cases,  and  we  may  possibly  account  for  their  useful  administra- 
tion in  this  form  from  the  fact  that  the  excessively  high  tempera- 
ture renders  the  tissues  more  susceptible  and  hence  better  capable 
of  appropriating  the  remedial  qualities  of  the  drug,  but  as  soon 
as  a  turn  takes  place,  the  drug  should  be  given  in  gradually 
higher  and  higher  attenuations,  and  this  same  principle  applies 
with  equal  force  when  the  malady  to  be  treated  is  not  of  so  acute 
and  exalted  a  character,  and  the  ordinary  attenuations  of  3X  or 
6x  as  prescribed  in  the  body  of  the  work  are  administered  in  the 
earlier  stages  of  the  case;  it  will  be  found  extremely  useful  to 
commence  with  these  and  as  convalescence  is  becoming  established 
to  administer  the  same  drug  in  a  higher  attenuation,  by  which  is 
meant,  commencing  with  3X  then  6x  and  finish  off  with  i2x. 

In  all  cases  therefore,  where  the  dose  is  not  referred  to  under 
the  various  prescriptions  given  it  should  be  understood  that  ten 
minims  (or  drops)  of  a  tincture  and  ten  grains  of  a  powder  for 
trituration)  are  the  doses  to  be  given.  In  cases  of  acute  illness 
the  repetition  of  such  doses  must  depend  upon  the  seriousness  of 
the  case  and  the  nature  ot  the  malady.  If  the  animal  is  in  verj^ 
acute  pain,  the  doses  may  be  repeated  as  often  as  every  quarter  of 
an  hour  for  a  time  until  some  relief  is  obtained,  after  which  the 
intervals  between  the  doses  may  be  extended  to  an  hour,  three 
hours  and  so  on7  but  in  ordinary  cases  of  illness  three  or  four 
doses  daily  at  intervals  of  four  hours  are  sufficient. 

In  administering  these  medicines  the  tinctures  are  best  mixed 
with  a  .small  quantity — say  a  wineglassful — of  quite  clean  water; 
rain  water  that  has  been  filtered  is  the  best  if  it  is  not  practicable 
to  obtain  distilled  water;  if  the  latter  is  available,  by  all  means  use 
it;  a  .strong  soda  water  bottle  is  far  the  most  useful  instrument  for 
drenching  the  horse  with,  because  the  glass  does  not  absorb  the 


40  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

essential  quality  of  the  drug  used,  and  can  readily  be  cleansed 
with  very  hot  water;  moreover  these  bottles  are  made  of  glass 
that  is  so  hard  and  tough  they  will  even  bear  the  force  which  a 
horse  can  exercise  with  his  jaw  without  breaking:  horns  are  very 
frequentl}'  used  for  the  purpose  but  cannot  be  recommended 
because  their  porous  nature  decidedly  favors  the  absorption  of 
whatever  agent  is  used,  and  whereas  the  homoeopathically  pre- 
pared drugs  are  very  sensitive  their  influence  may  easily  be  neu- 
tralized by  coming  in  contact  with  what  has  been  previously 
administered  from  a  vessel  made  of  horn. 

Great  care  must  be  exercised  in  the  use  of  triturations,  not  to 
administer  remedies  of  lower  attenuation  than  are  prescribed 
herein;  in  all  such  drugs  as  arsenic,  mercury,  copper,  etc.,  noth- 
ing of  a  lower  attenuation  than  the  third  decimal  should  be  used, 
otherwise  a  poisonous  dose  may  easily  be  given:  it  must  be 
remembered  that  the  third  decimal  attenuation  is  equivalent  to 
one  part  of  the  crude  drug  in  a  thousand  parts  of  the  attenuated 
powder,  while  in  the  second  decimal  scale  one  part  of  the  crude 
drug  is  contained  in  a  hundred  parts  of  the  triturated  powder; 
were  one  to  give  continuous  ten-grain  doses  second  decimal  of 
such  dangerously  powerful  drugs  as  arsenic  and  mercury  serious 
and  quite  unlooked  for  consequences  might  be  the  result.  There 
is  still  another  side  of  this  question  bearing  upon  the  influence  the 
process  of  trituration  has  upon  certain  agents  like  sulphur,  which 
in  the  crude  form  are  practically  inert,  there  is  no  doubt  that  this 
process  wakens  up  a  sort  of  new  energy  and  acquires  for  them  a 
physiological  activity  which  in  their  natural  condition  was  quite 
dormant  so  far  as  their  influence  upon  the  animal  organism  is 
concerned;  gold,  silver  and  flint  are  further  illustrations  of  this 
kind  of  agent,  in  whose  case  it  is  not  the  lower  attenuations  that 
have  to  be  guarded  against  so  much  as  those  of  a  higher  order; 
hence  it  is  important  that  those,  who  practice  according  to  the 
information  laid  down  herein,  should  allow  themselves  to  be 
guided  by  us  as  to  the  attenuation  to  be  relied  upon  in  specific 
disorders:  it  is  moreover  peculiarly  interesting  to  note  what  the 
effects  of  these  pharmaceutical  processes  upon  different  drugs  are, 
because  they  serve  to  entirely  upset  the  theory  that  drugs  are 
most  efficacious  in  action  when  used  in  the  crude  form  as  is  the 
custom  of  the  allopathic  practitioner;   undoubtedly,  from  a  busi- 


THE  STRENGTH  OF  DRUGS  AND  THE  DOSE.         4 1 

ness  point  of  view,  the  higher  attenuations  of  all  drugs  prepared 
strictly  according  to  the  rules  laid  down  b}-  Hahnemann  for  the 
guidance  of  the  pharmaceutical  druggist,  are  worth  more  pecu- 
niarily than  those  of  a  lower  scale,  and  the  druggist  should  be 
paid  more  for  them;  their  proper  preparation  involves  an  immense 
amount  of  labor  and  hard  work,  which  it  is  quite  unreasonable  to 
expect  a  druggist  to  expend  if  he  is  not  paid  for  it:  we  are  strongly 
of  opinion  that  pharmaceutical  druggists  are  not  without  blame 
themseh'cs  for  not  demanding  suitable  remuneration  for  work  of 
this  sort,  but  on  the  other  hand  they  have  grave  difficulties  to 
contend  with  in  making  their  customers  rightly  appreciate  the 
matter,  until  it  has  come  to  this  that  only  druggists  of  high 
standing  who  value  their  reputation  more  than  their  banker's 
account,  can  be  confidently  relied  upon  to  strictly  adhere  to  the 
pharmaceutical  rules  aforesaid;  to  this  most  unfortunate  fact  may 
be  attributed  the  failure  and  disappointment  so  often  heard  of  at 
the  meetings  of  medical  societies  when  practitioners  are  favoring 
their  professional  brethren  with  all  and  sundry  of  their  experi- 
ences, whereupon  no  little  discredit  devolves  on  the  devoted  heads 
of  those  who  through  good  and  evil  report  are  staunch  to  the  true 
faith;  in  a  very  large  number  of  instances  failure  is  due  in  prac- 
tice to  indifferent  pharmacy ;  and  for  this  indifferent  pharmacy  a 
stingy,  mean  short-sighted  public  is  mainly  responsible,  while  at 
the  same  time  close-fisted  medical  practitioners  do  much  to  render 
the  druggists'  experience  a  very  sorry  and  disappointing  one,  by 
becoming  their  own  dispensers;  hence  the  importance  of  seeing  to 
it  that  drugs  are  purchased  of  those  whose  word  may  be  relied 
upon,  and  of  never  failing  to  elicit  from  the  druggist  that  the 
remedies  sold  are  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  prescription. 
The  author  feels  that  he  is  justified  in  going  somewhat  closely 
into  this  matter  of  attenuation,  because  of  the  important  bearing 
it  has  on  clinical  (bedside)  results,  and  in  again  reiterating  its 
importance,  it  is  felt  that  it  will  not  detract  from  the  urgency  of 
this  branch  of  the  subject  when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  Dr.  Car- 
roll Dunham,  one  of  the  most  scientific  and  successful  physicians 
the  United  States  of  America  ever  knew,  was  one  of  its  most 
strenuous  advocates:  the  author  in  his  practice  among  the  lower 
animals,  owes  much  of  his  success  to  information  gleaned  from 
this  learned  man's  writings,  and  it  is  with  feelings  of  personal 


42  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

gratification  that  the  present  offers  the  opportunity  to  present  an 
humble  but  earnest  tribute  of  acknowledgment  and  indebtedness 
to  his  revered  memory. 


ARRANGEMENT  OF  DISEASES. 


To  facilitate  a  ready  reference  to  the  malady  of  which  a  horse 
is  temporarily,  the  subject,  is  now  our  object  and,  the  difficulty  of 
realizing  this  in  a  simple  way,  so  that  he  who  runs  may  read,  is 
not  easily  overcome;  the  list  of  ''suggestive  symptoms,'"  it  will, 
it  is  hoped,  materially  aid  the  horseman  to  discover  under  what 
classification  of  diseases  the  malady  is  to  be  found;  a  large  pro- 
portion of  these  ''suggestive  symptoms''  will  be  found  to  refer  to 
various  maladies  and  at  first  sight  this  may  strike  the  student  as 
.  somewhat  perplexing;  but  this  condition  of  affairs  is  siniplv  un- 
avoidable, because  the  same  symptoms  do  regularly  appear  in 
different  maladies.  This  is  one  of  the  obstacles  which  the  allo- 
path, who  in  his  superior  way  has  never  condescended  to  make  a 
study  of  the  principles  of  Homoeopathy,  can  never  surmount;  the 
obstacle  however,  is  by  no  means  so  insurmountable  as  he  ( the  alo- 
path)  would  feign  believe,  the  whole  crux  of  the  matter  is  summed 
up  in  the  word  totality.  Having  made  a  list  of  all  the  symp- 
toms observable  it  will  be  found  that  while  three  or  four  of  these 
are  each  present  in  some  half  dozen  or  more  maladies,  there 
is  still  one  more  symptom  which  is  only  found  in  one  of  these 
said  half  dozen  maladies  and  this  will  be  the  disease  you  will 
have  to  .study.  For  instance,  you  will  find  staring  coat,  quickened 
breathing,  rapid  pulse,  heightened  temperature,  constipated  bowels 
urine  very  high  colored  and  diminished  in  quantity  in  no  end  of 
maladies  and  were  these  or  but  one  of  these  symptoms  taken  alone 
the  prescriber  '^^ould  find  it  difficult  to  suggest  a  remedy,  but  take 
them  as  they  stand  and  you  have  a  picture  of  connnon  simple 
fever,  at  the  same  time  they  one  and  all  may  be  observed  in  a 
very  large  number  of  maladies  that  present  not  only  these  but 
one  or  more  symptoms  which  you  must  discern  before  you  can 
prescribe,  hence  it  becomes  absolutely  necessary  to  carefully  trace 
the  various  symptoms  presented  by  the  patient  from  one  disea.scd 
condition  to  another  until  you  find  the  groui)  under  one  malady 

43 


44  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

and  -to  this  reference  must  be  made  for  the  treatment,  and  from 
the  description  of  the  disease  thereunder  some  idea  can  be  formed 
as  to  organs  or  parts  that  are  affected.  To  the  uninitiated  the 
process  may  at  first  seem  a  trifle  wearisome  but  practice  will  soon 
clear  the  course  and  render  comparatively  easy  that  which  at  first 
seemed  like  chaos. 

There  are  some  forms  of  disease  which  appear  to  affect  in  greater 
or  less  degree  the  whole  system  of  the  horse,  those  which  pro- 
perly come  under  this  classification  will  be  described  under  the 
heading  of  Generai.,  while  others  localize  themselves  in  special 
organs  and  in  the  course  of  description  these  will  be  referred  to- 
under  the  various  Tracts,  Organs  or  parts  specially  affected. 


GENERAL  DISEASES. 


SIMPLE  FEVER. 


This  malady,  as  the  name  indicates,  is  a  febrile  condition  affect- 
ing the  whole  body  generally;  and  is  distinct  from  that  kind  of 
fever  which  accompanies  or  presages  an  inflammation  of  some 
special  organ,  such  as  the  Lungs,  Kidneys  or  Intestines;  here  the 
fever  is  the  diseased  condition  itself — unassociated  with  any  special 
part  or  parts  of  the  animal  system;  the  fever  is  the  prominent 
feature  that  has  to  be  com  batted;  this  once  allayed  and  there  is  no 
necessity  to  anticipate  any  bad  after  consequences. 

Symptoms — Heightened  Temperature  varying  from  104  degrees 
to  106  degrees.  Quick  strong  full  pulse;  more  frequent  respirations; 
legs  cold;  shivering  fits;  staring,  harsh  coat;  loss  of  appetite;  increase 
of  thirst;  bow^els  irregular  in  action,  tendency  to  slight  constipa- 
tion; less  urine  passed  than  usual,  and  what  there  is  appears  high 
colored. 

Treatment. — Aconite  (->  five  drops  every  hour  for  three  doses, 
wdien  temperature  will  probably  drop  two  degrees  in  a  few  hours; 
after  which  Aconite  3X  ten  drops  at  intervals  of  four  hours  will 
serve  to  complete  the  cure  and  in  five  or  six  days  the  horse  will 
be  convalescent;  theclinical  thermometer  must  be  frequently  used, 
as  the  internal  heat  must  serve  as  a  guide  to  indicate  the  patient's 
progress;  after  the  early  and  sudden  decline  the  temperature 
usually  subsides  gradualh'. 

If  the  legs  are  ver}'  cold  they  should  be  dry  hand  rubbed  to 
arouse  the  circulation,  and  thereafter  a  flannel  bandage,  not  too 
tight,  put  on;  the  rubbing  and  the  bandaging  being  periodically 
renev.'ed.  As  soon  as  the  body  temperature  begins  to  subside  the 
horse  will  evince  a  desire  for  food,  which  should  be  of  a  light  and 
easily  digestible  character,  administered  sparingly  at  first;  the 
thirst  will  all  along  be  observable,  and  to  slake  this  to  his  heart's 
content  the  horse  should  be  furnished  with  a  constant  supply  of 

45 


46  VETKRINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

cold  water.  Should  the  temperature  have  risen  very  high,  viz.  106 
degrees  or  107  degrees,  and  the  subsidence  after  the  first  fall  has 
proved  very  gradual,  convalescence  when  attained  will  be  followed 
by  marked  weakness  and  exhaustion;  the  horse  will  require  building 
up,  to  effect  which  it  will  be  better  to  administer  two  doses  of 
SulpJmr  jn.  for  two  successive  evenings,  to  be  thereafter  followed 
with  ten  drop  doses  of  C/iinad  night  and  morning,  for  a  week; 
by  this  time  the  powers  of  assimilation  will  be  restored,  and  the 
full  benefit  from  the  food  will  be  derivable  and  experienced. 

BILIOUS  FEVER. 

This  is  much  like  the  last  malady  affecting  more  or  less  the 
whole  system,  while  at  the  same  time  the  force  of  the  fever  ap- 
pears to  be  centered  upon  the  liver;  the  duct  which  should  conve}' 
the  bile  to  the  intestines  is  blocked  and  cannot  effect  an  exit;  the 
bile,  as  secreted,  is  then  thrown  back  upon  the  organ;  it  passes 
through  the  walls  of  the  bile  tubes  and  thence  through  those  of  the 
hepatic  arteries  and  is  conveyed  over  the  whole  body  by  means  of  the 
circulation  of  the  blood;  this  is  how  it  happens  that  the  mucous 
membrane  lining  the  mouth,  nose  and  eyes,  and  not  infrequently 
the  skin  of  white  animals,  takes  on  such  a  j^ellow  appearance. 

Symptoms. — Precisely  as  in  Simple  Fever,  with  the  addition  of 
the  yellow'  appearance  of  the  visible  mucous  membranes. 

Treatment. — Aconitt-  3X  in  the  early  stages;  Arsenicum  6x 
gr.  X  to  a  dose;  when  lining  membrane  of  eyes  is  particular!}- 
yellow;  when  the  stool  looks  light  colored  and  the  food  is  not 
digested;  when  the  horse  drinks  a  little  at  a  time  but  very  fre- 
quently; and  when'he  appears  alternately  depressed  and  irritable. 

Bryo?ini  TfS..  Pain  on  pressure  over  seat  of  liv^er;  seems  to  ex- 
perience pain  in  limbs  when  moved;  lips  and  tongue  3'ellow,  dry 
and  cracked;  bowels  constipated,  faeces  dry  and  hard,  as  though 
burnt  or  .scorched. 

Meracrius  Cor;  3X  gr  v.  to  a  dose;  when  the  yellowness  of 
membranes  extends  to  the  skin  and  is  very  pronounced;  motions 
colorless,  grey  or  whitish,  with  considerable  straining  both  before 
and  after  relief;  breath  smells  very  foul;  urine  scanty  and  of  brown- 
ish red  color  having  a  foetid  smell. 

Eupatoriiun  pcrfoliatioii,  ix. — The  chief  characteristic  for  the 
selection  of  this  drug  in  Bilious  Fever  is  the  violent  bone  pains;  if 


STRAXGLES.  47 

you  handle  the  horse  about  the  shanks  and  pinch  them  between 
your  fingers  he  will  give  evidence  of  p.xin  by  flinching;  or,  again, 
press  the  ends  of  your  fingers  into  the  bones  of  the  face  and  he 
will  soon  show  you  how  much  it  hurts;  in  such  cases,  taken  in 
conjunction  with  the  symptoms  previous!}'  eiuunerated,  this  may 
be  accepted  as  a  leading  indication  for  Eupatorium  Ur.  Dun- 
ham discovered  the  difference  between  this  drug  and  Bryonia  in 
■cases  of  bilious  fever,  and  came  to  the  conclusion  that  in  Jyrjoiiia 
the  perspiration  is  free,  while  in  Eupatorium  it  is  suppressed. 
Eupatorium  is  suitable  when  the  patient  is  restless  and  uneas}'. 
Bryonia  when  quiet  and  apparently  depressed,  or  rather  unable  to 
move. 

Nux  vomica,  jjc. — When  the  region  of  the  liver  externally  is 
hard  and  swollen;  horse  refuses  all  food;  when  symptoms  are 
aggravated,  early  in  the  morning;  constipation  with  frequent  un- 
successful urging  and  straining  to  effect  a  stool. 

Leptandra  Virginica,  ix. — The  principal  indication  for  the 
selection  of  this  drug  is  the  condition  of  the  stool;  when  this  is 
frequent,  urgent,  black,  tarry  in  consistence  and  color,  pappy  and 
smells  badly,  resort  should  be  had  thereto. 

When  convalescence  is  attained  Sulphur  jo  and  China  i->  may  be 
u.sed  with  advantage  as  suggested  under  simple  fever,  and  the  in- 
structions under  that  heading  as  to  diet,  et  cetra,  should  be 
followed. 

STRANGLES. 

This  malad}'  is  more  particularly  associated  with  young  horses, 
and  in  our  experience  it  has  proved  communicable  from  one  young 
horse  to  another;  at  the  same  time  the  disease  is  not  restricted  to 
adolescence,  as  horses  of  all  ages  are  liable  thereto;  but  while 
adult  horses  do  not  appear  so  likely  to  be  infected  by  association 
with  one  of  their  own  period  of  life  that  is  the  subject  of  strangles, 
young  horses,  until  they  attain  the  age  of  four  years,  are  more 
readily  infected  from  an  aged  horse  than  by  one  of  their  own 
years;  at  least  this  is  our  experience;  and  it  is  well  known  that  as 
is  the  case  in  most  infantile  diseases,  one  attack  does  not  protect  a 
horse  from  a  second  or  third,  although  in  the  majority  of  horses 
one  attack  in  a  lifetime  suffices,  while  a  few  seem  to  escape  en- 
tirely.    Strangles  is  much  more  likely  to  prove  infectious  in  a 


48  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

large  stud  where  the  surrounding'  sanitary  conditions  are  bad  or 
only  imperfectly  provided  against,  and  where  the  numbers  of 
young  horses  are  kept  in  close  proximit}' ;  in  studs  where  large 
numbers  of  valuable  young  horses  are  kept  as  soon  as  strangles  is 
developed  the  sufferer  should  be  isolated  and  his  box  immediately 
disinfected. 

The  term  strangles  derives  its  origin  from  the  fact  that  it  con- 
sists of  a  more  or  less  extensive  swelling  of  the  glands  in  the 
region  of  the  throat,  or  at  the  back  of  the  tongue,  which  unduly 
presses  upon  the  windpipe,  the  effect  of  which  is  to  choke  or 
strangle  the  patient. 

Strangles  is  recognized  as  belonging  to  the  class  of  eruptive 
fevers,  more  or  less  affecting  the  general  constitution,  but  center- 
ing itself  upon  the  glandular  system,  particularly  those  large 
glands  which  are  situated  between  the  under  jaws,  among  wdiicli 
large  and  painful  abscesses  are  developed,  accompanied  with  very 
decided  febrile  symptoms;  the  temperature  often  rising  to  105 
degrees,  or  even  higher,  before  the  crisis  is  attained.  This  crisis 
is  generall}'  reached  when  the  abscess  is  fully  matured  and  ready 
either  to  burst  of  itself  or  be  discharged  by  operative  surger}-; 
after  this  period  is  reached  the  febrile  s\'mptoms  abate  and  the 
temperature  gradually  descends;  but  if  by  careless  treatment,  such 
as  exposing  the  abscess  to  a.  cold  draught,  or  allowing  too  much 
time  to  elapse  between  the  application  of  the  necessary  poultices 
the  maturation  (or  ripening)  of  the  abscess  is  delayed,  or  fresh 
and  unfavorable  constitutional  s3miptoms  are  developed,  other 
abscesses  may  break  out  over  the  body  and  it  will  be  found  that 
the  temperature  is  beginning  to  rise  again,  when  the  febrile  con- 
dition will  assume  an  altogether  different  type,  not  improbably  of 
a  septic  character  involving  great  trouble  and  no  little  risk  to  the 
animal's  life. 

Symptoms. — Inability  to  swallow  food;  running  at  the  nose; 
cough,  rough  but  feeble,  as  though  it  gave  much  pain;  frothy 
saliva  dripping  from  mouth;  head  poked  straight  out  in  an  aim- 
less manner;  temperature  105  degrees  or  more;  pulse  rapid; 
respiration  not  so  urgent  as  in  many  febrile  conditions;  sometimes 
not  affected  in  frequency,  but  a  great  roaring  noise  is  made  both 
in  inspiration  and  expiration.  The  space  between  the  jaws, 
where  the  glands  are  situated,  is  much  swollen  and  very  hard  and 


STRAXCLES.  49 

occasionally  extends  to  those  glands  at  the  back  of  the  jaw  bones, 
■when  the  swelling  is  diflfused  and  the  whole  head  is  affected. 

Treatment. — Isolate  into  a  large,  airy  box,  free  from  draughts 
of  cold  wind:  keep  body  warmly  clothed  and  legs  bandaged  with 
flanuels;  food  nourishing  but  sloppy;  crushed  oats  well  steamed, 
mixed  with  boiled  linseed;  a  plentiful  supply  of  barley  water  made 
with  psarl  barley  in  the  ordinary  way. 

Local  applications  should  consist  of  well  prepared  poultices  of 
li-.iseed  meal,  or  boiling  water  poured  over  spent  hops,  either  of 
which  should  be  enclosed  in  a  gauze  bag  to  fit  the  parts,  covered 
w  :th  a  piece  of  oilskin  over  which  and  to  support  the  poultice  a  por- 
ti  )n  of  horse  rug  or  several  thicknesses  of  close  house  flannel  should 
bo  used.  The  poultices  should  not  be  allowed  to  get  cold,  and 
should  be  changed  three  times  in  twentj'-four  hours.  The  change 
should  be  effected  rapidly,  but  before  applying  a  fresh  poultice 
the  parts  should  be  gently  bathed  with  hot  water  containing  a  few 
drops  of  Condy's  Fluid,  so  that  the  parts  ma}-  be  kept  sweet  and 
clean. 

By  the  aid  of  internal  medicines  three  or  four  days  will  generally 
serve  to  mature  the  abscess,  which  will  be  recognized  as  ripe  by 
its  softness,  when  it  may  be  left  to  discharge  itself  or  be  opened; 
unless  a  veterinar}'-  surgeon  is  at  hand  to  advise,  the  former  is  the 
safer  course  from  all  points  of  view;  if  allowed  to  spontaneously 
discharge,  as  soon  as  it  has  burst,  the  whole  abscess  should  be 
gentl)^  squeezed  and  thereafter  washed  clean  with  a  soft  sponge 
and  hot  water  medicated  with  Condy's  Fluid;  after  which  poultic- 
ing should  be  continued  until  the  whole  of  the  matter  is  discharged; 
and  to  complete  the  cure  the  parts  should  be  dressed  with 
powdered  Iodoform  and  still  kept  covered  up  with  medicated  dry 
cotton  wool  until  the  orifice  is  healed. 

Interxai,  Treatment. — In  the  first  instance,  while  the 
fever  is  developing  and  the  temperature  rising  Aconite  jx  for  one 
day;  to  be  followed  by  Hcpar,  sulphur  6x  ten  grains  dry  on  the 
tongue  four  times  a  day  at  intervals  of  four  hours.  This  is  all 
that  will  be  required  for  simple  or  benign  strangles,  but  should 
the  more  dangerous  symptoms  be  developed  already  referred  to, 
and  fresh  swellings  containing  matter  (pus),  spring  up  over  the 
body,  which  are  suggestive  of  blood  poisoning  a  change  in  the 
remedy  nmst  ])e  made;  and  not  improbably  the  animal  will  give 
4 


50  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

evidence  of  such  decided  constitutional  debility  as  to  call  for  the 
administration  of  some  stimulant,  such  as  good,  sound  old  ale 
mixed  with  beef  tea,  or  raw  eggs  beaten  up  and  mixed  with  wine 
or  whiskey,  while  the  most  suitable  remedy  will  probably  be 
found  in  Lachesis  12,  ten  drops  every  four  hours.  Some  careful 
nursing  will  in  all  severe  cases  of  strangles,  especially  those  in 
which  the  more  serious  symptoms  supervene,  be  found  essential, 
to  facilitate  which  the  administration  of  China  0  twice  a  day  will 
afford  material  assistance. 

INFI.UENZA. 

The  designation  adopted  to  describe  the  various  forms  of  illness 
which  are  supposed  to  be  included  thereunder,  is  a  very  ambiguous 
and  unreliable  one;  in  olden  times  Influenza  was  presumed  to  ex- 
press a  feverish  cold  in  the  head  attended  with  an  irritating  fluid 
discharge  from  the  nostrils  which  by  some  was  considered  infec- 
tious, by  others  not  so;  as  at  present  used,  however,  the  term  has 
to  cover  a  much  wider  area,  inasmuch  as  it  affects  at  one  time  the 
respiratory  organs,  at  another  the  digestive  organs,  while  yet 
again  it  may  centre  its  force  upon  the  nervous  system. 

In  one  form  the  United  States  and  Canada,  in  1872  and  1873, 
experienced  a  visitation  of  a  very  virulent  type  of  this  disease 
while  Great  Britain  and  various  localities  on  the  Continent  of 
Europe  have,  on  several  occasions,  had  outbreaks  of  a  serious 
character  and  under  varying  conditions. 

Probably  the  chief  feature  of  each  type  is  the  extreme  prostra- 
tion experienced  by  the  patient,  and  in  most  there  is  a  distinct 
soreness  of  the  muscles  and  a  pronounced  disinclination  to  move; 
dullness,  and  a  sort  of  ''  cave  nothing  for  anything''  attitude  is 
very  marked,  especially  when  the  malady  is  thoroughl}^  estab- 
lished; the  surface  temperature  of  the  body  as  revealed  to  the 
touch  is  extremely  variable;  the  lining  membrane  and  the  tissues 
thereunder  of  the  eyes  are  very  swollen  and  suffused  with  red 
streaks,  tears  trickling  freely  from  the  corners  over  the  face;  the 
membrane  lining  the  nose  is  intensely  injected;  the  internal  tem- 
perature rises  to  104  or  105  degrees;  the  pulse  is  rapid  but  small  in 
volume  and  weak  in  force;  the  respirations  are  regular  but  much 
more  frequent  than  they  ought  to  be;  the  mouth  is  usually 
excessively   hot,  and  the   saliva   hangs   therefrom  in  long,  ropy 


INFLT'KXZA.  51 

Strings;  when  the  force  of  the  malady  is  fixed  on  the  respiratory 
organs  auscuhation  of  the  chest  right  in  front  under  the  wind 
pipe  will  reveal  a  rough,  grating  sound,  which  suggests  a  compli- 
cation in  the  bronchial  tubes;  when  these  symptoms  are  develop- 
ing the  horse  will  have  a  harsh,  rough  cough,  which  apparently 
causes  no  little  pain  and  inconvenience.  As  a  rule  the  faeces  are 
dry  and  difficult  of  expulsion,  but  when  the  motions  begin  to 
take  place,  the  drug  pellets  will  frequently  be  covered  with  pieces 
of  mucous  membrane,  conunonl}'  described  by  stablemen  as 
''skin;''  the  urine  is  mostly  scanty  and  high  colored.  One  very 
marked  characteristic  of  the  disease  is  the  extensive  swelling  of 
the  legs  down  their  whole  course;  this  is  due  to  what  is  termed 
an  infiltration  of  the  connective  tissues,  and  as  a  result  of  this 
swelling  the  horse  experiences  general  stiffness  and  soreness;  the 
swelling  in  horses  (males)  not  unfrequently  extends, to  the  penis, 
along  the  abdomen,  to  the  under  portion  of  the  chest;  if  the 
swellings  are  not  reduced,  we  have  seen  cases  where  a  mixture  of 
blood  and  serum  appeared  to  ooze  through  the  pores  of  the  skin, 
which,  of  course,  clearly  indicated  that  the  effusion  of  fluid 
under  the  skin  and  among  the  muscles  and  tendons  was  so  exten- 
sive it  could  not  be  retained,  notwithstanding  the  swelling  and 
elasticity  of  the  parts,  and  must,  therefore,  find  an  outlet  some- 
how; when  the  fever  seems  to  exercise  its  force  on  the  windpipe, 
bronchial  tubes  and  lungs,  the  difficulty  of  breathing  is  much 
more  marked;  the  nostrils  are  dilated  and  the  heaving  at  the 
flanks  is  very  noticeable;  moreover  the  horse  invariably  evinces  a 
desire  to  put  his  head  over  the  box  door  presumably  to  get  fresh 
air;  the  nasal  membrane  instead  of  being  bright  red,  assumes  a 
purple  or  leaden  hue,  and  the  secretion  is  generall}^  thicker  and 
more  glutinous;  the  internal  temperature  will  rise  as  high  as 
106.5  o^  i<^7  degrees,  and  the  animal  evinces  more  marked  pros- 
tration than  ever;  if  the  earlier  developments  of  bronchitis  are 
not  arrested  the  disease  will  progress  until  inflammation  of  the 
proper  substance  of  the  lung  tissue  is  established,  which  may  be 
discovered  from  the  greater  difficulty  experienced  in  breathing; 
by  the  various  sounds  observable  on  auscultation  (listening)  of 
the  chest  over  the  sides  where  the  ribs  extend,  which,  of  course, 
only  a  properly  qualified  and  experienced  veterinary  surgeon  can 
discern;  however,  if  inflannuation  of  the  lungs  does  supervene,  it 


52  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

is  generall.\-  attended  by  the  discharge  through  the  nostrils  of 
blood  which  will  serve  at  all  events  as  an  indication  for  the  selec- 
tion of  a  suitable  remedy. 

In  addition  to  these  chest  and  lung  complications  we  haye,  not 
unfrequently,  to  combat  such  as  attack  the  digestive  organs,  and 
these,  while  sometimes  occurring  independently,  do  frequently 
follow  those  already  indicated,  and  that,  of  course,  at  a  time 
when  the  system  is  very  low  and  unable  to  combat  any  additional 
strain  upon  its  recuperative  powers;  it  is  probable  that  of  all  the 
abdominal  organs  the  liver  is  the  one  that  first  feels  the  effect  of 
this  Influenza  Fever,  as  is  evident  by  the  extremely  yellow  color 
of  the  visible  mucous  membranes;  the  first  thing  that  draws  the 
attention  of  the  horseman  to  the  fact  that  the  disease  has  settled 
itself  upon  the  digestive  organs  is  the  indication  of  pain  in  the 
bowels,  the  horse  will  lie  down,  roll,  get  up  again,  look  around  at 
his  flanks;  and  whereas,  during  the  earlier  stages  of  the  disease, 
he  refused  to  do  anything  but  stand,  he  is  continually  now  lying 
down,  at  the  same  time  restless  and  ill  at  ease;  manual  examina- 
tion of  the  body  over  the  region  of  the  liver  will  point  to  distinct 
tenderness;  the  faeces  are  sparing  in  quantity,  dry  and  coated  with 
mucus;  the  urine  is  more  than  ever  scanty,  very  dense  in  sub- 
stance, and  highly  colored;  if  there  is  any  alteration  in  the  pulse, 
it  is  more  wiry,  and  as  before  pointed  out,  the  respirations  will  be 
thoracic,  (or  from  the  chest,)  because  the  pain  is  chiefly  exper- 
ienced in  the  abdomen  and  treathing  is  therefore  effected  so  as  to 
relieve  the  painful  parts;  the  tongue  also  serves  as  a  very  useful 
indicator,  inasmuch  as  it  will  be  found  to  be  swollen,  will  pit  on 
pressure,  and  is  pulpy  to  the  touch,  while  the  mouth  is  constantly 
full  of  sticky  saliva;  the  temperature  is  generally  not  so  high,  as 
in  the  respiratory  form,  so  that  as  a  sequel  to  respiratory  compli- 
cations a  fall  from  io6°  to  104°  cannot  under  these  conditions  be 
deemed  favorable:  this  is  one  of  the  few  exceptions  when  a  de- 
crease in  internal  temperature  cannot  be  relied  upon,  as  indicative 
of  convalescence;  but  as  the  fall  does  not  steadily  continue  but 
will  be  maintained  at  104  degrees  for  some  days  there  wnll  be  no 
difhcully  in  recognizing  that  the  first  drop  was  not  an  indication 
of  convalescence,  but  rather  a  change  of  attack  on  the  part  of  the 
malady.  It  is  pretty  well  agreed  by  those  competent  to  form  an 
opinion  that  Influenza  or  Grippe  as  the  malady  has  been  some- 


INFLUENZA.  53 

times  designated,  is  more  likely  to  spread  over  a  stnd  of  horses, 
when  the  stable  accommodation  is  too  cramped  and  limited,  and 
the  surroundinj^s  are  of  an  unsanitary  character;  such  circum- 
stances also  seem  to  favor  an  outbreak;  we  have  no  doubt  as  to 
the  infectiousness  of  the  malady,  not  only  from  horse  to  horse,  but 
also  from  horse  to  man. 

These  conclusions  point  to  the  desirability  of  isolation  so  soon 
as  an  outbreak  is  recognized,  to  avoid  as  much  as  possible  an  ex- 
tension thereof;  this,  however,  may  not  alwa3's  be  successful  in 
stopping  its  spread,  if  the  theory  that  atmospheric  conditions  favor 
the  development  of  the  malady,  be  reliable;  nevertheless  no  harm 
can  come  of  the  precaution,  and  it  is  ahvaj^s  best,  from  an  econo- 
mical point  of  view,  to  adopt  preventive  measures,  especially  sucli 
as  sanitation  and  common  sense  suggest. 

Complications  affecting  the  intestines  and  other  abdominal 
organs,  if  not  successfully  combatted,  very  often  develop  typhoid 
symptoms,  especially  when  stables  are  overcrowded,  and  these  are 
the  leases  that  usually  prove  fatal;  but  even  these  with  homoeo- 
pathic remedies  available  should  show  a  marked  diminution  in 
mortality  over  the  ordinary  allopathic  treatment  as  there  are  sev- 
eral drugs  specialh-  suitable  for  these  conditions  that  are  not 
recognized  by  orthodox  medicine. 

Treatment. — A  large,  well  ventilated,  loose  box  well  supplied 
with  fresh  air  and  light  serves  as  the  best  hospital  for  a  horse  sick 
of  Influenza;  the  bedding  should  be  of  sawdust  for  preference,  and 
if  of  straw  it  should  be  cut  short  to  enable  the  horse  to  move 
about  without  obstruction,  he  by  reason  of  stiffness  and  soreness 
being  unable  to  lift  his  legs  off  the  ground  in  the  ordinary  way; 
the  supply  of  fresh  water  should  be  constant  and  the  trough 
swilled  out  mau}^  times  during  the  day  to  wash  away  any  accumu- 
lations of  saliva;  the  food  must  be  of  the  lightest,  most  easily 
digestible  and  nourishing  description,  making  allowance  for 
stimulants  when  other  food  is  not  taken  in  sufficient  quantity;  the 
food  being  given,  a  small  quantity  at  a  time  and  oft  repeated,  care 
being  taken  to  frequently  cleanse  the  manger  as  there  is  no  doubt 
in  our  mind  that  the  ropy  saliva  which  is  a  peculiar  secretion  of 
this  disorder  is  calculated  to  retard  recovery  when  re- mixed  with 
fresh  food  and  allowed  to  accumulate  in  the  manger  from  time  to 
time;  as  the  surface  temperature  is  so  variable  in  this  disease  it 


54  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

must  be  maintained  at  an  equable  standard  by  warm  clothing  to 
the  body  and  legs,  and  this  clothing  should  be  removed  at  least 
three  times  a  day  and  the  horse  be  rubbed  down  with  gentle 
friction  before  replacing  same;  to  avoid  the  risk  of  chill  one  man 
on  either  side  should  be  engaged  in  dressing  him  that  the  process 
may  be  got  through  with  as  little  loss  of  tims  as  possible  and  the 
clothing  put  on  again  before  the  animal  has  had  the  chance  of  get- 
ting cold.  The  administration  of  medicinal  agents  must  be  ar- 
ranged according  to  the  special  symptoms. 

Aconite,  jx  — This  remedy  always  comes  first  in  these  diseases 
that  are  ushered  in  by  decidedly  febrile  indications,  and  in  many 
cases  of  influenza  great  benefit  is  derived  from  its  early  adminis- 
tration as  it  serves  to  abort  the  fever,  and  in  this  way  cuts  short 
the  further  developments;  but,  as  a  rule,  a  hor.se  is  frequently 
allowed  to  go  beyond  the  stage  when  Aconite  is  useful  before  the 
nature  of  the  malady  is  discovered. 

Arsenicum  iodide,  jx. — This  remedy  is  peculiarly  efficacious  in 
those  cases  of  influenza  when  the  predominant  symptoms  are  run- 
ning at  the  nose  and  eyes;  great  prostration  and  weakness;  tem- 
perature 104  degrees;  pulse  feeble  and  frequent;  respirations 
urgent;  thirst  gratified  only  by  small,  but  very  oft-repeated 
draughts  of  water;  appetite  precarious  and  uncertain;  very  pro- 
nounced swelling  of  legs.  Dr.  E.  M.  Hale,  of  Chicago,  a  well- 
known  homoeopathic  physician  and  literateur  was  one  of  the 
first  to  test  this  remedy  on  his  own  horses,  during  one  of  these 
epidemics  in  the  United  States,  the  results  of  which  were  emi- 
nently satisfactory,  and  to  this  gentlemen  we  are  indebted  for 
drawing  our  attention  to  the  specification  of  the  drug  under  cir- 
cumstances when  these  symptoms  chiefly  prevailed  in  a  stud  of 
horses  we  were  attending. 

Ge/semijiPi,  ix. — There  are  several  very  characteristic  symp- 
toms which  occur  in  influenza  for  which  this  drug,  in  the  earlier 
stages,  is  peculiarly  appropriate;  we  have  proved  it  on  several  of 
onr  patients  and  on  one  occasion  with  marked  success  on  ourselves 
when  we  believe  we  had  been  infected  from  inhaling  the  breath  of 
a  patient  that  pre.sented  these  particular  symptoms;  they  are,  very 
marked  swelling  of  the  eyelids,  to  the  extent  of  absolutely  clos- 
ing the  visual  opening;  there  are  indications  of  marked  pain  in 
the  head  by  the  dull,  heavy  expression  of  the  animal's   face  as 


lNFLrP:NZA. 


55 


though  there  were  great  oppression  of  the  brain;  the  horse  seems 
unable  to  control  his  movements,  the  legs  being  powerless  or  even 
paralyzed;  there  is  also  evident  giddiness.  Under  such  circum- 
stances this  remedy  may  be  given  in  the  earlier  stages  in  the  place 
of  Aconite,  and  it  will  be  found  that  under  its  influence  a  temper- 
ature of  104  or  105  degrees,  will,  in  the  course  of  twelve  hours 
drop  down  to  102  or  loi  degrees.  In  our  own  experience  it  acted 
in  this  manner,  and  seemed  to  fairl}'  abort  the  threatened  malady 
by  lowering  the  temperature  most  effectively.  With  regard  to 
this  remedy  we  believe  the  honor  of  introducing  it  into  practice 
properly  belongs  to  Dr.  E.  M.  Hale,  of  Chicago. 

In  cases  wherein  the  disease  extends  its  influence  to  the  bron- 
chial tubes  and  proper  substance  of  the  lung,  Bryonia  and  Phos- 
p/iorus,  or  such  other  remedies  as  will  be  found  prescribed  under 
chapters  on  bronchitis  and  pneumonia  should  be  administered  and 
to  these  we  must  refer  the  student.  Much  the  same  may  be 
stated  with  regard  to  those  complications  which  affect  the  intes- 
tines and  abdominal  organs;  at  the  same  time  special  note  may 
be  made  of  the  following  remedies,  viz: 

Nux  vomica,  jx. — When  the  fever  is  maintained  and  the  horse 
gives  evidence  of  chilliness  and  shivering;  hard  cough,  accom- 
panied with  breaking  of  wind  per  rectum  when  the  horse  coughs; 
want  of  appetite  and  constipation  of  bowels  attended  with  strain- 
ing to  obtain  relief. 

R/ius  toxicodendron,  JX. — The  horse  evinces  great  disinclination 
to  move,  but  when  he  does,  stretches  his  limbs  as  though  to  ob- 
tain relief  from  the  aching  pain;  lies  down  and  stretches,  then 
rises  again;  tip  of  the  tongue  will  be  red  as  compared  with  other 
parts  of  the  organ,  and  the  internal  temperature  will  rise  higher 
at  night  but  falls  slightly  in  the  morning;  movement  seems  to 
afford  relief,  which  is  the  exact  opposite  of  Bryonia. 

Oxygen  gas. — This,  from  the  standpoint  of  a  homoeopahist,  can 
hardly  be  described  as  a  therapeutic  agent,  its  administration  must 
be  included  under  the  head  of  sanitation;  in  man}'  cases  of  influ- 
enza, and  indeed,  other  diseases  as  well,  the  animal,  notwithstand- 
ing the  most  assiduous  nursing  and  careful  prescribing,  seems  to 
gradually  become  more  depressed  and  unable  to  stand  up  against 
the  ravages  of  the  invading  malady.  A  something  in  the  sur- 
roundings seems  to  be  wanting;  the  vitality  of  the  system  appears 


56  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

to  be  gradually  ebbing  away,  and  the  prominent  symptoms  affect- 
ing, especially  the  respiratory  organs,  become  more  and  more 
urgent,  neither  remedial  measures  nor  stimulants  produci  any 
appreciable  effect  for  the  better.  These  conditions  probably  owe 
their  existence — it  may  be  said  their  overpowering  existence — ^to 
the  fact  that  the  vitalizing  influence  of  the  ordinary  atmosphere  is 
by  reason  of  its  fixed  constitution  not  equal  to  burn  up  and  destroy 
the  immense  quantity  of  effete  material  with  which  the  blood 
stream  is  loaded,  consequently  the  blood  becomes  more  and  more 
effete  in  quality,  and  nature  is  thwarted  in  her  efforts  to  restore 
an  equilibrium.  What  is  required?  Our  reply  is  oxygen  !  We 
are  indebted  to  our  friend  Edwin  Faulkner,  Esq.,  M.  R.  C.  V.  S. , 
of  Manchester,  England,  for  first  drawing  attention  to  this  agenr 
and  its  marvelous  utility  under  such  conditions;  in  his  experience, 
and  since  in  our  own,  it  has  proved  a  veritable  life  saver;  and 
although  it  is  rather  expensive  treatment,  and  the  administration 
demands  considerable  care,  where  valuable  horses  are  concerned 
these  are  matters  of  no  moment. 

In  England  oxj^gen  gas  is  manufactured  for  sale  in  large  quan- 
tities and  supplied  in  strong  cone-shaped  iron  cylinders,  which 
contain  a  given  measurement  of  the  gas,  the  size  most  suitable 
for  veterinary  purposes  being  that  which  costs  about  sixteen 
shillings;  each  cylinder  is  supplied  with  a  brass  tap  to  which  may 
be  attached  an  india  rubber  tube;  a  leather  nose-bag  having  been 
adjusted  to  the  horse's  head  the  aforesaid  tube  is  introduced  to, 
the  bottom  of  the  bag,  just  under  the  horse's  nostrils,  and  the  tap 
is  turned  on  sufficiently  to  allow  a  gentle  stream  of  the  gas  to  pass 
continuously  for  a  period  of  twenty  minutes  into  the  bag  and  so 
pervade  the  atmosphere  which  the  horse  is  inspiring;  this,  ac- 
cording to  the  greater  or  less  urgency  of  the  case,  should  be 
repeated  three,  four  or  five  times  every  twenty-four  hours.  As  a 
rule  marked  improvement  speedily  supervenes  upon  this  procedure 
as  evidenced  in  the  first  place  by  the  calmer  performance  of  the 
respiratory  functions  and  the  lowering  of  the  internal  temperature. 
In  this  manner  the  ordinary  provision  of  nature,  as  determined  by 
the  fixed  law  of  atmospheric  composition,  has  been  super-added  to 
by  the  aid  of  chemistry  and  the  conditions  surrounding  and  affect- 
ing the  body  of  the  patient   are  reduced  to  submission;  nature  is 


INFLUENZA.  57 

now  in  a  position  to  avail  himself  of  strictly  therapeutic  assistance 
and  effect  a  complete  restoration  to  health. 

Eucalyptus,  ^. — Still  another  valuable  agent  must  be  referred  to, 
which  under  some  conditions  is  capable  of  acting  tlierapeuticall}^ 
while  at  others  it  appears  to  act  chemically,  in  virtue  of  its  disin- 
fecting properties;  it  is  more  with  regard  to  the  latter  that  we 
propose  to  advocate  its  use  in  stables  where  a  number  of  sick 
horses  are  from  force  of  circumstances  necessarily  kept  together; 
the    apparently    volatile  character  of   the   organisms  or   germs, 
through  the  medium  of  which  influenza  is  spread  from  place  to 
place,  or  by  which  one  animal  is  the  medium  of  infecting  another, 
makes  it  desirable,  nay  imperative,  that  no  effect  should  be  left 
untried  that  may  possibly  tend  to  arrest  the  progress  and  further 
development  of  the  infective  virus;  this  result  may  frequentl}'  be 
attained  by  the  agent,  Eucalyptus,  now  under  consideration;  as  a 
disinfectant  and  deodorizer  it  may  very  usefully  be  used  in  a  stable 
b}^  means  of  a  spray  diflEuser.     The  mother  tincture  will,  when 
used  in   this  way  over  the  general  area  of  the  stable  until  the 
whole   surrounding   atmosphere  of  the  building  is  impregnated, 
(which   may  be   determined  by  the  excess  of  the  aromatic  over 
other  smells, )  serve  at  a  small  expense  and  little  trouble  to  pre- 
vent healthy  animals  from   falling  victims  to  the  malady  and  will 
facilitate  the  cure  of  those  already  the  subjects  of  treatment. 

Antimonium  iartarkuw ,  6x. — When  the  cough  is  loose  though 
attended  with  a  good  deal  of  oppression  and  apparent  difficulty; 
thick  lumps  of  soft  gelatinous  looking  mucus  will  be  discharged 
from  the  nose  while  the  animal  is  undergoing  a  fit  of  coughing. 
The  exertion  of  coughing  evidently  shakes  the  animal,  this  is 
suggestive  of  stomach  complications  for  which  the  remedy  is 
eminently  suited. 

Lachesis,  30. — When  the  swelling  down  the  legs  and  along  the 
abdomen  persists  and  increases  ultimately  resulting  in  the  oozing 
of  drops  of  blood  and  bloody  serum  through  the  skin.  If  this 
remedy  does  not  act  promptly  and  within  six  hours  give  distinct 
evidence  of  arresting  this  hemorrhage  it  should  be  substituted  by 
Crotalus,   12. 

Under  such  serious  conditions  the  remedy  should  be  adminis- 
tered frequently,  at  least  once  in  every  two  hours,  and  inter- 
mediate between  the  doses  stimulants  should  be  given,  probably 


58  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

nothing  is  better  than  Scotch  whiskey  and  milk  in  suitable  quan- 
tities according  to  the  strength  of  the  patient,  varying  from  one 
to  five  fluid  ounces  of  whiskey  in  an  equal  quantity  of  milk. 

ERYSIPEIvAS. 

This  is  an  acute  febrile  disease  affecting  the  whole  thickness  of 
the  skin  and  the  underl3dng  parts;  it,  as  a  rule,  diffuses  itself 
over  a  wide  area;  there  is  much  general  swelling  and  pain  and 
the  evidence  of  its  presence  is  shown  by  the  hot  red  shining  con- 
dition of  the  inflamed  skin  upon  and  within  which  a  number  of 
very  small  blisters  which  contain  a  yellowish  fluid  mixed  with 
blood  ma}'  be  observed.  In  the  human  subject  it  is  described  as 
a  contagious  disease,  but  by  some  eminent  authorities  on  horse 
pathology  it  is  not  considered  capable  of  propagation  from  one 
animal  to  another.  Without  wishing  to  arrogate  too  much  to  our- 
selves we  are  distinctly  of  opinion  that  it  is  innocculable  from  one 
horse  to  another,  and  therefore  we  should  consider  it  might  prove 
contagious  especially  if  some  of  the  exuded  serum  from  one  pa- 
tient comes  in  contact  with  an  abraded  wound  on  another  animal. 

The  disease  as  a  rule  commences  to  develop  at  the  fetlock  joint 
or  hock  and  spreads  in  an  upward  direction  covering  the  whole 
superficies  of  the  leg;  on  this  account  it  may  be  distinguished  from 
lymphangitis  (or  weed)  which  usually  commences  at  the  upper 
portion  of  the  limb  and  .spreads  as  it  descends.  So  far  as  swell- 
ing, heat  and  tenderness  occur  in  weed  they  resemble  erysipelas, 
but  the  skin  in  the  latter  is  generally  a  brighter  red,  more  .shin- 
ing and  tense,  while  in  weed  we  do  not  find  that  tendency  to 
form  little  vesicles  and  sloughing  sores  that  are  generally  present 
in  erysipelas. 

Symptoms. — The  first  indications  are  similar  to  those  observed 
in  many  other  febrile  diseases,  viz:  Exalted  temperature,  full 
and  rapid  pulse,  quickened  breathing,  staring  coat,  mouth  hot  and 
clammy,  lo.ss  of  appetite,  breath  very  unpleasant,  much  prostration 
and  waste  of  the  muscular  tissues.  The  local  symptoms  are,  at 
fir.st,  slight  swelling  from  which  a  yellowish  fluid  exudes;  the 
swelling  gradually  extends  over  the  limb,  which  as  a  rule  is  one  of 
the  hind  ones;  as  the  swelling  increases  the  affected  parts  will  pit  on 
pressure  but  the  indentation  will  fill  up  again  soon  after  the  finger 
is  removed;  if  this  condition  is  not  arrested  by  suitable  treatment, 


ERYSIPELAS.  59 

the  parts  soon  become  so  full  of  fluid  under  the  skin,  that  the 
latter  is  firmer  and  no  impression  can.  be  made  on  it;  this  is  the 
period  in  the  de^•elopment  of  the  disease  when  large  numbers  of 
small  vesicles  will  form,  ostensibly  to  relieve  the  parts  from  the 
pressure  of  the  accumulated  fluid;  should  this  proceed  to  sup- 
puration or  the  formation  of  matter  (pus),  the  skin  will  become 
dead  in  patches  and  peel  off  and  in  very  severe  cases  it  has  been 
known  to  penetrate  to  the  muscles,  tendons,  ligaments  and  joints 
the  consequences  of  which  may  be  very  serious,  leading  to  stiff 
joints  or  even  to  death;  but  under  homoeopathic  treatment,  with 
ordinary  care  and  attention,  results  such  as  these  should  be  un- 
known. 

Treatment. — Aconite,  ix  is  the  most  useful  remedy  to  com- 
mence with  when  the  fever  is  ver\'  high  at  the  outset,  the  skin 
dr}^  and  hot,  the  pulse  full  rapid  and  bounding,  and  when  giddi- 
ness excitability  and  nervousness  are  evinced  and  the  horse  can- 
not bear  to  have  the  parts  touched;  ?f  taken  in  time  this  remedv 
will  not  infrequently  abort  further  developments  and  complete  the 
cure. 

Apis  Mellifica,  3X. — This  is  a  peculiarly  efficient  remed}^  in  the 
more  superficial  forms  of  the  disease,  when  the  swellings  contain- 
ing fluid  are  spread  over  a  greater  surface  and  do  not  form  the 
small  vesicles  (or  pimples),  and  when  the  parts  are  not  particu- 
larly red  and  shining;  there  is  one  special  symptom  to  guide  in 
the  selection  of  Apis,  when  the  horse  coughs  as  though  the  throat 
were  rough  and  dry,  nor  does  he  care  to  drink  to  relie\-e  the  dry- 
ness; the  urine  also  is  scanty  and  ver}^  high  colored;  the  remed\' 
has  been  found  very  efficacious  in  those  forms  of  the  disease  which 
arise  as  the  result  of  a  wound  or  injury;  a  general  diffused  swell- 
ing of  the  eyelids,  as  though  fluid  was  dispersed  under  the  skin 
which  may  arise  independently  of  or  in  conjunction  with  erysipelas 
in  other  parts  points  distinctly  to  this  drug  as  the  suitable  remedy. 
Belladonna,  3X. — The  leading  indication  is  the  smooth,  bright 
red,  shining  condition  of  the  skin,  the  oedema  (or  swelling)  is  not 
so  considerable  as  that  for  which  Apis  is  suitable,  but  the  parts 
are  hotter  and  more  tender  to  the  touch;  that  peculiar  svmptom 
referred  to  on  several  occasions,  throbbing  pnlse  of  the  carotid 
arteries  also  serves  to  determine  in  favor  of  Belladomia,  as  does  an 


6o  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

intolerance  of  light;  the  horse  will  poke  his  head  into  an}'  corner 
to  get  away  from  the  window  or  open  door, 

Cantliaris,  3X. — It  is  well  known  that  local  physiological  mani- 
festations from  the  use  of  this  drug  are  pimples,  vesicles  and 
pustules;  but  erysipelas  like  many  other  pathological  develop- 
ments is  often  accompanied  by  symptoms  in  the  organs  or  parts  of 
the  bod}'  which  do  not  seem  to  be  associated,  at  the  same  time 
when  they  appear  together  and  form  a  totality  of  present  symp- 
toms the  one  remedy  cures  the  lot;  so  it  is  in  the  case  of  Cantliaris 
in  erysipelas  when  the  urinary  organs  are  affected  at  the  same 
time,  there  being  a  constant  desire  to  pass  water,  but  ability  only 
to  do  so  a  few  drops  at  once;  itching,  however,  is  not  a  predomi- 
nant symptom;  the  affected  parts  rather  feel  hot  and  burning; 
the  pimples  are  large  and  flat  containing  a  good  deal  of  their  fluid 
serum,  and  the  vesicles  burst  readily. 

Rhzis  toxicodendron,  2x. — One  of  the  chief  remedies  in  vesi- 
cular erysipelas,  especially  if  the  near  hind  leg  is  attacked  and- 
thereafter  it  extends  to  the  off  leg;  the  surface  of  the  skin  is  very 
red,  burns  to  the  touch,  swells  considerably,  and  the  vesicles  are 
small  and  ntimerous;  itching- is  intolerable,  as  the  horse  will  give 
evidence  of  by  rubbing  the  legs  together  or  against  the  sides  of 
the  box. 

These  are  the  principal  agents  that  are  likely  to  prove  eft'ectual 
in  chet-king  the  spread  and  further  development  of  this  disease; 
the  internal  administration  of  the  drugs,  which  must  be  selected 
according  to  the  totality  of  the  symptoms,  will  be  rendered  more 
rapidly  effective  if  also  a  local  application  consisting  of  one  part  of 
the  mother  tincture  of  the  selected  remedy  is  mixed  with  two 
parts  of  glycerine  and  three  of  water  and  applied  to  the  skin  with 
a  soft  brush  twice  or  three  times  a  day.  As  the  febrile  symptoms 
are  usually  very  pronounced,  and  the  waste  of  muscular  tissue  is 
in  consequence  considerable,  the  most  nourishing  and  easily 
digestible  food  must  be  given,  and  in  conjunction  therewith  dur- 
ing convalescence  nothing  better  than  China  (-)  ten  drops  night 
and  morning  can  be  combined  to  give  tone  to  the  system  and  pro- 
mote assimilation  of  nourishing  diet. 


GLANDERS    AND    FARCY.  6 1 

GLANDERS  AND  FARCY. 

These  terms  serve  to  describe  manifestations  of  one  and  the 
same  disease  in  different  parts  of  the  body;  they  are  both  due  to 
one  and  the  same  specific  virus  (or  poison);  the  term  glanders  is 
appHed  when  the  recognized  symptoms  pecuhar  to  this  malady 
are  developed  and  observable  in  the  lining  membrane  of  the  nose, 
the  glands  between  the  under  jaws,  the  upper  portion  of  the  air 
passage,  the  windpipe  and  lungs;  and  farcy  when  the  disease 
locates  itself  chiefly  in  the  lymphatic  vessels  which  accompany  the 
course  of  the  veins  as  they  travel  down  the  legs,  the  hind  legs 
being  more  often  the  seat  of  attack  than  the  fore;  these  lymphatic 
vessels  are  swollen  and  hard,  and  at  intervals  small  enlargements 
like  buds  on  a  young  branch  in  trees  are  observable;  it  is  a  very 
common  thing  for  stablemen  to  speak  of  any  enlargement  of  the 
hind  legs,  accompanied  by  a  diffuse  swelling  and  discharge  of 
sticky  fluid  as  belonging  to  a  horse  that  is  "  farcied;"  this,  how- 
ever, is  a  misappropriation  of  terms,  if  by  this  word  it  was  in- 
tended to  convey  that  the  horse  was  the  subject  of  '' farcy '^ 
proper. 

In  describing  this  disease  we  shall  be  understood  to  convey  the 
impression  that  we  are  dealing  with  one  whose  characteristics  are 
most  malignant;  it  is  capable  of  transmission  from  one  horse  to 
another  by  immediate  contact,  by  which  we  desire  to  convey  the 
idea  that  the  discharge  from  the  ulcers  peculiar  to  this  disease  if 
brought  into  contact  with  an  abraded  surface  on  the  skin  or 
mucous  membranes  of  another  healthy  horse  will  reproduce  a 
similar  condition,  the  virus  (or  poison)  having  found  its  way  into 
the  system  through  the  medium  of  the  general  circulation  of  the 
blood;  moreover  we  would  go  further  and  state  our  belief  that  the 
morbific  material  is  capable  of  transmission  from  one  horse  ( dis- 
eased) to  another  (not  diseased)  through  the  media  of  food, 
water,  litter  via  the  digestive  canal.  Again  we  are  strongly  of 
opinion  that  the  virus  of  this  disease  may  be  conveyed  from  one 
animal  to  another  through  the  atmosphere;  that  is  to  say,  it  is 
considered  to  be  volatile;  not  volatile  in  the  sense  that  chemists 
use  the  term,  but  that  the  poisonous  substance  is  so  finely  divided 
into  the  most  minute  particles  that  it  becomes  capable  of  trans- 
mission from  one  place  to  another — to  say  nothing  of  one  horse  to 


62  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

another — on  the  wings  of  the  wind;  and  this  is  by  no  means  a 
fanciful  fiction,  as  minute  portions  of  lung  tissue  are  acknowl- 
edged by  physiologists  to  be  regularly  expelled  at  each  act  of 
respiration,  and  it  requires  that  no  great  demand  should  be  made 
upon  the  ordinary'  intelligence  of  man  to  appreciate  that  at  each 
expiration  active  disease  organizations  should  be  conv^eyed,  which 
may  still  further  be  distributed  by  atmospheric  currents,  and 
become  inhaled  through  the  breath  into  the  lungs  of  a  healthy 
horse,  from  thence  into  the  fluid  stream  and  thus  become  devel- 
oped like  new  seed  upon  fresh  soil.  To  go  closely  into  detail 
into  the  patholog}-,  modes  of  propagation,  incubation  and  special 
characteristics  of  this  disease,  would  in  a  work  of  this  kind,  be  a 
waste  of  time  and  energ}';  the  main  thing  in  the  first  instance 
that  has  to  be  impressed  upon  the  minds  of  the  probable  readers 
of  this  book  is  the  extremely  infectious  and  contagious  character 
of  the  disease;  too  much  cannot  be  said  upon  this  point,  nor  can 
an}'  horseman  be  too  much  warned  against  the  serious  conse- 
quences of  letting  his  charges  once  come  near  enough  to  a  subject 
of  the  disease  to  risk  their  becoming  contaminated;  in  Great 
Britain  and  various  countries  on  the  Continent  of  Europe  the 
losses  sustained  through  the  dire  effects  produced  by  this  awful 
disease  cannot  possibly  be  estimated,  so  rapidly  infectious  is  it 
when  once  established,  while  at  the  same  time  its  approach  is 
occasionally  most  subtle  b}'  reason  of  the  length  of  time  it  may  lie 
latent  or  undeveloped  in  the  system,  so  far  as  external  manifesta- 
tions are  concerned.  Without  doubt  the  first  thing  an  owner  has 
to  do  who  recognizes  that  he  has  a  case  of  glanders  or  farcy  in  his 
stable  is  to  isolate  such  an  animal,  and  the  isolation  stable  should 
be  situated  at  a  considerable  distance  from  that  ordinarily  used  for 
healthy  horses;  moreover  it  is  not  less  important  that  the  stable- 
man whose  duty  it  is  to  attend  a  glanderous  patient  should  be 
kept  strictly  to  his  one  job,  and  under  no  circumstances  allowed 
to  g3  near  other  healthy  animals;  the  box  or  stable  occupied  by 
the  infected  animal  up  to  the  time  of  the  discovery  that  it  was  the 
subject  of  glanders  or  farcy,  should  be  immediatel}'  disinfected  by 
first  Inirning  powdered  sulphur  on  a  charcoal  fire,  every  door, 
window  and  aperture  in  the  place  being  stopped  up,  the  process 
to  be  actively  carried  on  for  at  least  two  hours;  thereafter  the 
walls  and  paint  should  be  carefully  scraped  and  the  refuse  there- 


GLANDERS    AND    FARCY.  63 

from  burnt,  the  walls  and  partitions  being  thoroughly  washed 
down  with  a  solution  of  corrosive  sublimate  consisting  of  one  part 
of  the  drug  dissolved  in  five  hundred  parts  of  boiling  water;  this 
being  completed  and  the  place  dry,  the  walls  should  be  thoroughly 
lime-washed  and  the  wood-work  repainted,  after  which  the  stable 
will  be  fit  for  habitation  once  more;  pails  and  all  stable  utensils 
previously  used  for  the  affected  animal  must  be  also  subjected  to 
a  similar  disinfecting  process;  the  man  who  attends  the  diseased 
animal  must  either  subject  his  clothes,  more  particularly  the  outer 
garments  made  of  wool,  to  disinfection  or  better  still  have  them 
burnt  before  he  ventures  to  appear  in  the  ordinary  stable;  if  these 
precautions  be  taken,  and  nothing  less  stringent  zcill  do,  then  the 
propagation  of  the  disease  ma}^  be  arrested;  but  if  the  affected 
animal  was  in  a  stable  in  company  with  other  horses  which  so  far 
present  no  outward  manifestation  of  disease,  such  horses  must  in 
the  interest  of  the  owner,  be  subjected  to  the  Mallein  test  here- 
after explained,  to  determine  whether  they  are  any  or  all  the  sub- 
jects of  the  disease  in  a  latent,  outwardly  undeveloped  form;  if 
they  are,  then  they  also  must  be  isolated  and  treated  as  we  shall 
direct  further  on.  As  experience  has  taught  that  in  a  very  large 
number  of  cases  considerable  time  elapses  between  the  reception 
into  the  animal  system  of  the  virus  (poison)  of  glanders  and  the 
manifestation  or  outward  development  of  the  characteristic  symp- 
toms it  is  a  most  important  matter  to  understand  how  the  presence 
of  the  disease  may  be  determined;  but  thanks  to  recent  research 
in  Great  Britain  and  on  the  Continent  of  Europe,  a  fairly — if  not 
absoluteh' — reliable  test  has  been  discovered  of  a  simple  character 
that  an}'  intelligent  horseman  can  put  into  practice  after  being 
supplied  with  the  proper  agent;  in  England  veterinary  practi- 
tioners are  mainly — if  not  entirely — indebted  to  Professor  Mc- 
Fadyean,  of  the  Royal  Veterinary  College,  London,  for  introduc- 
ing Mallein,  the  agent  referred  to,  to  the  notice  of  the  profession, 
and  further  still  for  preparing  and  keeping  up  the  supplj^  for  those 
members  of  the  profession  who  are  putting  Mallein  to  the  test: 
Professor  McFadyean  in  conjunction  with  one  or  two  other 
members  of  the  teaching  staff  at  the  college  have  put  Mallein  to 
the  test  in  a  large  number  of  cases — something  like  one  hundred 
and  fifty  we  believe — and  as  the  result  the  professor  gives  expres- 


64  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

sion   to  the  following  opinion  in  the    ''Journal  of  Comparative 
Pathology  and  Therapeutics'"  for  March,  1S93,  "^'i^- 

' '  The  very  numerous  observations  that  have  now  been  pub- 
lished at  home  and  abroad  regarding  the  action  of-  Mallei ?i  appears 
to  warrant  the  following  conclusions: 

1.  "  If  in  any  horse  that  presents  symptoms  exciting  a  sus- 
picion of  glanders  or  that  is  known  to  have  been  exposed  to  the 
infection  of  glanders,  an  injection  of  Mallein  raises  the  tempera- 
ture from  about  the  normal  (under  10  degrees)  to  104  degrees 
and  produces  a  marked  inflammatory  reaction  at  the  seat  of  in- 
jection that  horse  may  be  pronounced  ' glandered.'' 

2.  "If  in  such  a  horse  an  injection  of  Mallein  determine  a 
marked  local  reaction  and  an  elevation  of  temperature  equal  to  2 
degrees,  that  horse  may  be  pronounced  '  probably  glandered.' 

3.  "  In  horses  that  have  already  a  febrile  temperature  (102  de- 
grees or  over)  the  temperature  reaction  after  Mallei?i  is  inconstant 
and  unreliable  as  a  guide  to  diagnosis. 

"It  only  remains  to  be  added  that  the  local  reaction  deserves 
to  be  called  '  marked'  when  the  swelling  extends  for  three  or  four 
inches  from  the  point  of  injection." 

It  is  now  necessary  to  explain  for  the  right  understanding  of 
the  reader  that  Mallein  is  prepared  by  what  is  called  cultivating 
the  virus  (poison)  of  a  glandered  horse,  the  virus  being  found  in 
the  discharges  from  the  nose  and  eyes  and  this  is  cultivated  from 
one  growth  to  another  in  the  Pathological  Laboratory  until  it  is 
sufficiently  attenuated  for  use,  and  may  be  obtained  sometimes  in 
the  fluid  form  and  sometimes  in  the  dry  as  is  exemplified  by  what 
is  described  as  Foth's  '  Dry  Mallein  '  nor  does  there  appear  to  be 
any  difference  in  the  reaction  of  the  two  samples;  presumably 
the  dry  sample  keeps  the  best.  The  usual  quantity  used  at  one 
inoculation  is  2J2  cubic  centimetres  of  the  fluid  preparation  which 
should  be  injected  with  a  chemically  clean  subcutaneous  syringe 
that  has  been  rendered  properly  aseptic  under  the  skin  of  the 
neck;  probably  no  better  method  of  rendering  the  syringe  aseptic 
can  be  adopted  than  plunging  the  various  disconnected  parts  into 
boiling  water  and  there  holding  them  for  a  few  minutes,  after 
which  they  can  be  put  together  and  used;  the  middle  part  of  the 
neck  measuring  both  the  length  and  depth  of  same,  is  the  best 
place  to  select  for  the  operation;  this  of  course  is  the  point  where 


GLANDERS    AND    FARCY.  65 

the  local  swelling  referred  to  by  Professor  McFad\'eau  takes  place 
after  the  Malleiu  has  been  injected,  which  swelling  has  to  be 
measured  both  as  to  its  length  and  breadth  to  determine  in  con- 
junction with  the  rise  in  temperature,  whether  the  horse  is  prob- 
ably the  subject  of  glanders.  With  respect  to  the  observations  to 
be  made  with  the  thermometer,  it  will  be  necessary  to  take  the 
temperature  six  hours  before  the  injection  of  the  Mallein,  at  the 
time  of  the  operation,  and  every  six  hours  thereafter,  until  thirty- 
six  hours  has  expired  from  the  time  the  Mallein  was  injected,  on 
which  occasions  also  the  measurements  of  the  local  swellings  must 
be  taken;  each  of  these  particulars  must  be  registered  in  detail;  if 
the  register  of  the  temperature  shows  that  the  thermometer  has 
risen  from  loo  to  103  degrees  or  higher,  and  the  local  swellings 
extend  an  average  of  five  or  six  inches  both  ways,  then  it  is  pretty 
safe  to  condemn  the  horse  as  the  subject  of  glanders,  and  he  must 
at  once  be  isolated;  but  if  during  the  period  of  thirty-six  hours 
following  the  injection  the  temperature  rises  onh^  one  degree  or  a 
fractional  part  thereof  the  evidence  is  not  sufficient  to  warrant  the 
conclusion  that  the  horse  is  the  subject  of  glanders;  the  test 
operation  should  be  repeated  a  week  after. 

It  is  perhaps  hardly  necessar}-  to  state  that  if  the  services  of  a 
professional  veterinarian  are  available,  it  is  far  better  to  entrust 
such  an  one  with  the  performance  of  the  test  operation;  on  the 
contrary  if  one  is  not  within  reasonable  reach,  the  Mallein  should 
be  obtained  through  some  reliable  wholesale  druggist  w^ho  may  be 
trusted  to  obtain  the  proper  agent  from  the  right  source. 

The  next  question  that  has  to  be  considered  is  how  to  form  a 
conclusion  from  symptomatology  that  a  horse  is  affected  with 
glanders  and  to  this  end  we  will  offer  a  list  of  the  principal  guid- 
ing 

Symptoms,  and  to  do  this  satisfactorily  it  is  almost  necessary 
to  divide  them  into  two  classes,  nameh',  the  acute  and  the  chronic: 
we  shall  take  the  acute  first:  the  temperature  will  be  considerably 
exalted;  the  pulse  quick  and  rather  soft,  the  respirations  rather 
more  frequent  than  is  usual  in  health;  the  coat  has  a  generally 
unthrifty  appearance  and  feels  harsh  to  the  touch,  dry  and  stands 
up  on  end;  the  animal  speedily  loses  condition,  and  becomes 
wasted  and  thin:  the  urine  is  rather  increased  in  quantit.v  and  has 
little  or  no  color;  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  nostrils  is  of  a 
5 


6tV  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

dark  leaden  hue,  on  which  will  be  observable,  very  shortly,  small 
patches  about  the  size  of  a  pea,  which  to  the  eye  seem  to  contain 
a  yellow  fluid,  the  margins  of  which  are  surrounded  by  gray  zone 
this  3'et  again  encircled  by  a  red  areola;  after  a  few  days  these 
pimples  or  patches  develop  into  open  ulcers  with  ragged  edges 
which  discharge  from  their  centres  a  sticky  matter  (pus).     The 
glands  between  the  jaws  are  swollen  and  hard,  and  after  a  time 
become  attached  to  the  surrounding  parts  and  immovable;  these 
glands  are  as  a  rule  very  tender,  and  the  horse  does  not  like  to 
have  them  pressed  upon  or  squeezed;  the  lips  and  outer  wings  of 
the  nose  become  swollen,  and  upon  them  ulcers  sometimes  form 
which  discharge  purulent  matter;  in  consequence  of  the  swelling- 
and  thickening  of  the  upper  internal  parts  of  the  nose  and  some- 
times the    larynx   of   the  throat,    the  breathing  is  considerably 
interfered  with  and  assumes  a  snuffling  character  w  hich  is  gen- 
erally accompanied  by  a  cough,  soft  and  painful;   if  not  arrested 
in  the  earlier  stages  the  lungs  are  rapidly  implicated  and  symp- 
toms of  bronchitis  and   pneumonia   supervene,    after   which   the 
horse  soon  gives  evidence  of  rapid  decay,  the  appetite  fails  and  the 
breathing  is  more  distressing;   the  legs  conmience  to  swell,   the 
cords  and  buds  of  farcy  appear  and  the  animal  speedily  succumbs. 
The  symptoms  of  chronic   glanders,    by  reason  of  the   subtle 
invasion  of  the  virus  are  more  slowly  developed  and  not  so  easy 
of  recognition;  the  disease  may  be  thoroughl}'  established  in  the 
horse's  system  for  many  months  before  the  more  obvious  symp- 
toms declare  themselves;    all  the  same,   however,   the  horse   so 
affected  is  a  centre  capable  of  disseminating  the  virulent  poison; 
these  occult  cases,  as  a  rule,  are  affected  chiefly  in  the  lungs,  and 
it  has  frequently  been  a  matter  causing   us  no  little  surprise  on 
making  a  post  mortem  examination  that  the  horse  had  not  given 
more  distinct  evidence  during  life  of  the  pathological  conditions 
that  had  evidently  been  progressing  for  months  in  the  lungs,  and 
at  the  same  time  no  visible  symptoms  had  presented  themselves; 
we  once  knew  a  case  of  this  sort  which  was  productive  of  the  most 
painful  consequences  to  the  owner  and  his  friends:   the  gentleman 
owned  a  horse  that  was  in  regular  hard  work;  he   purchased   a 
three  year  old  filly  and  put  her  into  the  next  standing  to  the  old 
.horse;  the  following  day  after  her  purchase  he  thought  she  would 
be  better  for  an  alterative  ball,  and  administered  it  himself,  in  doing 


GLANDERS    AND    FARCY.  67 

which  he  grazed  the  back  of  his  hand  against  a  sharp  molar  tooth; 
in  a  few  days  the  young  mare  and  the  owner  both  developed  all 
the  signs  of  acute  glanders;  in  six  weeks  the  owner  after  a  most 
painful  illness  died:  the  old  horse  meanwhile  developed  a. suspic- 
ious cough,  and  as  the  young  mare  died  shortly  after  her  master, 
it  was  suggested  that  probably  the  older  horse  was  the  origin  of 
the  outbreak,  and  he  was  accordingly  slaughtered;  there  was  no 
evidence  of  the  disease  in  any  part  of  his  body  except  the  lungs, 
and  these  to  the  pathologist  were  a  sight  to  wonder  at,  this  case 
furnishes  a  description  of  one  kind  of  chronic  glanders  occasion- 
ally met  with:  the  more  common  cases  are  those  in  which  the 
animal   presents   an   unthrifty   looking   coat,    whose   appetite   is 
capricious  and  uncertain;  that  one  day  appears  fairly  bright  and 
well  while  on  another  it  is  depressed  and  indolent;  the  glands 
between  the  jaws  are  ver}^  hard,  much  enlarged  and  adherent  to 
the  jaw  bones,  not  necessarily  very  tender,  but  generally  rather 
so;  there  may  or  may  not  be  a  discharge  from  the  nose  and  one  or 
more  ulcers  may  be  developed  rather  high  up  in  the  nasal  chamber, 
left  side   for   preference,  but  the  lining  membrane  of  the  nose 
almost  always  displays  that  very  significant  blue  or  rather  slate 
color;   with  regard  to  the  discharge  from  tha  nostrils  and  the  char- 
acter of  such  discharge  it  is  necessary  to  be  observant,  otherwise  a 
case  of.  nasal  catarrh  or  ozoena  may  be  mistaken  for  glanders;   the 
discharge  varies  in  character  as  the  disease  progresses,  being  first 
rather  thick   and  viscid,  from  which  it  changes  to  a  decidedly 
purulent  discharge  not  unfrequently  mixed  with  a  little  blood,  or 
it  may  still  alter  its  character  by  assuming  a  very  green  color;  it 
is  quite  true  that  under  the  worst  conditions  the  character  of  the 
nasai  discharge  cannot   be  accepted  as  positive  evidence  of  the 
presence  of  glanders  virus,  but  it  is  certainly  very  suggestive  and 
serves  as  a  very  good  indication  for  the  adoption  of  the  Mallein 
test;  there  is  probably  no  more  correct  indication  of  the  presence 
of  chronic  glanders  than  the  up  and  down  variations  of  the  in- 
ternal body  temperature;   if  the  horse  appears  dull  and  unwell  and 
the  temperature  be  taken  regularly  two  or  three  times  a  day  for 
three   weeks  consecutively,  considerable  variations  will   be  reg- 
istered; one  day  the  thermometer  will  stand  at  104  degrees,  an- 
other   loi    degrees,  yet  again   to    104  degrees,  then   fall  to    103 
degrees,  and  again  to  100.5  degrees,  and  so  on  from  one  day  to 


68  VETERIXARV    HOMCEOPATHV. 

another,  all  the  while  the  animal  will  have  a  capricious  appetite 
and  present  alternating  indications  of  depression  and  renewed 
vitality;  the  urine  is  generalh^  very  much  increased  in  quantity 
and  lacks  its  normal  color. 

Farcy  is  recognized  by  the  swelling  of  the  legs,  especially  the 
hind  ones,  diffuse  and  general,  attended  with  marked  heat  and 
pain;  the  course  of  the  lymphatic  glands  and  vessels  is  soon 
marked  out  by  these  standing  out  beyond  the  more  general  swell- 
ing in  well  developed  cords  and  buds;  these  buds  become  very 
prominent;  they  are  painful,  swell  more  and  more,  then  burst  and 
discharge  the  matter  peculiar  to  this  disease,  leaving  deep  ulcers 
with  ragged  edges. 

We  believe  that  the  foregoing  list  of  symptoms  will,  at  all 
events,  serve  to  enable  a  horseman  to  determine  if  he  has  a  suspic- 
ious case  of  glanders  or  farcy  in  his  stable,  and  if  this  be  the  case  the 
next  procedure  in  his  own  interests  is  to  subject  the  suspect  to  the 
Mallein  test,  or  if  that  is  really  not  available  then  the  practice  of 
auto-inoculation  may  be  resorted  to,  which  consists  of  the  follow- 
ing operation:  shave  off  the  hair  in  the  middle  of  the  neck  about 
three  inches  square  in  extent;  carefully  wash  the  surface  of  the 
parts  with  carbolic  soap  and  dry  with  a  clean  cloth;  take  a  sharp 
scalpel  or  knife  previously  held  in  absolutely  boiling  water  for 
two  minutes,  make  a  very  slight  incision  of  one  inch  long  but 
onh^  sufficiently  deep  to  exude  about  one  or  two  drops  of  blood; 
with  the  point  of  the  knife  take  a  small  quantity  of  the  discharge 
from  one  of  the  ulcers  present  on  the  nose  or  leg,  and  gently  rub 
the  same  into  the  incision;  if  the  horse  is  the  subject  of  the  malady, 
the  symptoms  already  developed  will  become  intensified,  and  the 
temperature  will  probably  rise  2  or  3  degrees,  and  the  seat  of 
inoculation  will  swell  considerably.  _ 

In  England  and  on  the  Continent  of  Europe  the  prevailing 
impression  among  allopaths  is  that  glanders  is  an  absolutely  in- 
curable disease,  and  as  in  pleuro-pneumonia  among  cattle,  the 
stamping  out  process  is  in  vogue,  and  the  law  is  so  framed  that  it 
steps  in  to  enforce  these  regulations;  it  is  certainly  an  exhibition 
of  great  weakness  and  impotence  on  the  part  of  the  veterinary 
profession  that  such  steps  should  not  only  be  rendered  necessary, 
but  should  be  encouraged  by  the  profession  as  a  body;  at  the 
same  time  we  cannot  overlook  the  fact  so  long  as  a  glandered 


GLANDERS    AXD    FARCY.  69 

horse  is  allowed  to  mix  with  others,  so  long  is  it  a  source  of  risk 
to  the  healthy,  by  reason  of  the  virulent  and  infectious  nature  of 
this  disease;  moreover  while  the  disease  is  considered  by  the  lead- 
ing lights — to  say  nothing  of  the  rank  and  file — of  the  profession 
to  be  incurable,  and  therefore  no  efforts  are  made  to  effect  cures, 
it  would  seem  as  though  no  other  course  but  the  stamping  out 
process  is  available  in  countries  where  these  views  prevail.  Never- 
theless while  it  may  seem  extremely  presumptions  for  one  indi- 
vidual to  firmly  adhere  to  views  diametrically  opposed  to  those 
held  by  an  overwhelming  majority  of  a  learned  profession,  we 
venture  to  assert  that  in  our  opinion  glanders  and  farcy  are  cap- 
able of  being  cured  just  like  any  other  disease,  and  we  can  dis- 
cover no  valid  reason  why  glanders  should  be  an  exception  to  the 
general  rule;  moreover  we  have  good  and  sound  reasons  for 
believing  that  cases  of  glanders  have  been  repeatedly  cured;  and 
by  this  we  do  not  mean  apparoitly  cured,  as  may  sometimes  appear 
to  be  the  case  in  consequence  of  the  healing  of  the  ulcers  and  sores 
on  the  nasal  membrane,  leaving  a  cicatrix  behind  as  evidence  of 
the  same,  while  at  the  same  time  the  virus  of  the  disease  remained 
in  the  system,  and  the  horse  was  as  much  a  medium  for  the  spread 
of  infection  as  ever  he  was;  we  mean  an  absohite  cure,  the  virus  of 
the  disease  to  all  intents  and  purposes  dead  and  positively  inactive, 
in  which  the  capacity  for  infection  no  longer  exists,  the  living 
organisms  (bacteria)  starved  and  incapable  of  carr}-iug  on  their 
direful  effects  upon  the  horse's  constitution;  all  this  we  confidently 
assert  may  be  effected,  the  whole  allopathic  profession  notwith- 
standing, by  means  of  properly  selected  homoeopathic  remedies; 
and  in  passing  we  venture  to  allude  to  what  we  believe  to  be  the 
terrible  moral  responsibility  which  rests  upon  the  medical  profes- 
sion for  ignoring  homoeopathic  practice,  as  a  sort  of  forlorn  hope 
if  for  nothing  else,  in  cases  of  this  dire  disease  on  the  human  sub- 
ject; certainly  no  harm  could  come  of  a  trial  with  a  homoeopathi- 
cally  selected  drug  in  a  disease  which  is  generalh-  admitted  to  be 
absolutely  incurable  by  orthodox  practitioners;  without  doubt 
orthodox  practice  is  impotentl}-  helpless  in  combatting  glanders, 
but  that  is  no  reason  wh}"  men  should  be  allowed  to  die,  when 
successful  treatment  is  available  and  within  the  ' '  ken  ' '  of  any 
practitioner  who  will  condescend  to  seek  after  it;  we  have  no  hesi- 
tation in  averring  that  many  men  have  been  convicted  of  murder 


70  VETERIXARV    HOM<JEOPATHY. 

on  much  more  slender  charges  than  could  be  brought  against 
some  medical  men  who  have  allowed  cases  of  glanders  in  the 
human  subject  infected  by  glandered  horses  to  die  because  know- 
ing of  no  cure  in  orthodox  practice  they  would  not  seek  a  cure 
from  the  despised  (?)  Hahnemannians. 

We  have  already  affirmed  that  by  means  of  homoeopathic  treat- 
ment glanders  may  be  cured;  one  of  the  agents  used  isglandermum, 
which  like  Mallein,  is  the  attenuated  virus  of  the  disease;  such 
remedies  are  described  as  uosodes,  they  have  in  this  and  other 
diseases  such  as  tuberculosis  (tuberculin,  the  nosode,)  proved 
remarkably  effective  in  bringing  about  cures  when  all  other  drugs 
hav^e  failed,  and  the  administration  of  these  has  been  extremely 
disappointing;  ghinderinum,  however,  is  invariably  reduced  to  a 
much  higher  attenuation  through  the  method  of  preparation 
adopted  by  homoeopathic  druggists  than  is  Mallein,  and  we  be- 
lieve that  to  Dr.  Swan,  of  New  York,  is  due  all  the  honor  for 
first  bringing  into  prominent  notice  this  and  similar  preparations; 
hence  the  followers  of  Hahnemann  who  consider  the  administra- 
tion of  nosodes  to  be  strictly  within  the  homoeopathic  law  can 
claim  to  have  recognized  the  value  of  the  principle  involved  in 
the  use  of  such  agents  long  before  the  discoverer  of  Mallein,  long 
before  Professor  Kock  with  his  much  vaunted  tuberculin;  long 
before  Pasteur  with  his  anthrax  protective  inoculations;  this  is  a 
very  interesting  fact  and  not  less  true  than  interesting,  because  it 
serves  to  show  how  much  the  houioeopathist  is  in  advance  of  the 
allopathist  in  everything  that  appertains  to  scientific  research. 
Glanderinum  is  most  probably  quite  as  effective  in  curing  glanders 
as  jSIallein  is  in  detecting  the  presence  of  the  disease;  but  the 
question  at  once  arises,  why  does  not  ^Mallein  cure  sometimes  ? 
To  this  question  we  reply  by  giving  in  extetiso  an  article  from  the 
''Journal  of  Comparative  Pathology  and  Therapeutics,'''  of  June, 
1893,  edited  by  Professor  McFadyean  of  the  London  Veterinary 
College,  from  which  it  appears  that  under  given  conditions  it*does 
cure;  the  article  is  a  reprint  from  "  Berliner  Thierixrztliche  Woch- 
enschrijt;'  and  is  headed  "The  Curative  Effect  of  Mallein 
IN  Glanders."  It  then  goes  on  to  state  that  "  In  February  last 
Professor  Pilavios,  of  Athens,  sent  to  the  French  Academy  of 
Medicine  a  report  regarding  the  use  of  Mallein  in  the  treatment  of 
glanders.     He  has  been  pursuing  his  investigations  since,  and  he 


GLANDERS    AND    FARCY.  JL 

now  reports  that  both  he  and  his  colleagues  have  been  struck  with 
astonishment  at  the  success  of  the  Mallein  treatment.  Horses 
suspected  of  glanders  have  been  completely  cured  by  repeated 
injections  of  Mallein  at  intervals  of  eight  days.  In  all  eight  horses 
have  been  thus  treated,  and  all  these  animals  came  from  regiments 
in  which  glanders  had  prevailed  for  years.  Before  injection  the 
horses  showed  all  the  clinical  sj'mptoras  of  glanders,  -and  had  on 
that  account  been  isolated.  They  reacted  to  the  first  two  injec- 
tions in  the  ordinary  way,  but  at  the  third  and  each  succeeding 
injection  (with  large  doses)  they  behaved  like  healthy  horses, 
and  exhibited  no  reaction.  Immediatel}^  after  the  third  injection 
the  symptoms  of  glanders  began  to  abate,  and  after  40-45  daj's 
they  had  completel}^  disappeared.  After  other  35  daj's  the 
horses  were  again  injected  with  Mallein,  but  not  the  slightest 
reaction  followed.  At  the  date  of  the  report  the  horses  were 
doing  their  work  as  well  or  even  better  than  other  sound  horses. 
The  Mallein  treatment  has  been  found  successful  onl}'  in  the  early 
stages  of  glanders;  in  the  advanced  stages  of  the  disease  the  in- 
jection of  Mallein  ma}^  hasten  death.  In  some  of  the  latter  cases 
the  horses  died  with  the  symptoms  of  peracute  nasal  glanders 
three  or  four  days  after  the  first  injection."  From  the  latter 
clauses  of  this  article  we  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  agent 
prepared  in  the  form  Mallein  is  probably  in  a  majority  of  cases 
produces  an  aggravation  of  the  symptoms,  and  consequently 
horses  "in  the  advanced  stages  of  the  disease'"  have  not  stamina 
and  vitality  of  constitution  enough  to  enable  them  to  withstand 
the  potent  action  of  the  more  powerful  Mallein;  but  here  steps  in 
the  advantage  of  the  homoeopathicall}'  prepared  agent;  glander- 
inum  (Swan)  is  attenuated  to  the  centum  mille  =  100,000th 
potency,  and  may  be  relied  upon  to  do  its  w'ork  effectively  without 
any  risk  of  aggravation  of  symptoms. 

According  to  experience  w'e  are  disposed  to  think  that  glander- 
inum  is  more  likel}'^  to  prove  useful  in  old  standing  chronic  cases 
rather  than  in  the  more  acute  and  recently  developed  ones  in 
which  latter  other  remedies  possibly  answer  best. 

Treatment — Kali  bichromiciL-m ,  3X. — Ten  grains  three  or  four 
times  a  day,  dry  on  the  tongue,  when  lining  membrane  of  nose  is 
blue  or  slate  color;  ulcers  developed  thereon  with  ragged  edges; 
discharge  thick,  glutinous,  3'ellow,  hanging  in  strings;   submaxil- 


72  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

lary  glands  very  enlarged,  hard  and  adherent  to  bones  of  jaw; 
tongue  thickly  coated;  dysenteric  diarrhoea.  In  addition  to  the 
internal  administration  of  the  remedy  it  may  very  usefully  be 
applied  locally  to  the  ulcers  on  the  nasal  membrane,  the  outer 
skin  of  the  nose  and  face  and  the  buds  of  farcy;  a  suitable  lotion 
for  this  purpose  may  be  prepared  by  dissolving  one  drachm  of  the 
crude  drug  in  ten  fluid  ounces  of  distilled  water;  should  there  be 
any  ulcers  in  the  upper  parts  of  the  nose  out  of  reach,  either  a 
syringe  or  a  spra}^  diffuser  can  be  used  to  effect  the  desired  object. 

Mercurins  corrosivus,  3X  grains,  five  to  a  dose,  repeated  three 
times  a  day.  Should  the  temperature  not  descend  and  the  ulcers 
show  signs  of  healing  under  the  influence  oi  Kali  bichr.,  resort 
should  be  had  to  Mercury. 

Auriim  muriaticum,  15. — In  cases  where  the  ulcers  are  deep 
enough  to  penetrate  the  bone  of  the  nose  and  have  a  tendency  to 
spread  among  this  hard  tissue,  this  drug  may  be  given  in  alternate 
doses  with  one  of  the  foregoing  ones,  ten  to  fifteen  drops  at  a  time, 
but  should  be  discontinued  so  soon  as  the  bone  heals. 

Glanderinuvi  (Swan)  C.  M. — Fifteen  to  twenty  drops  to  a  dose; 
this  remedy  should  be  tried  in  acute  cases  if  others  fail,  or  in  the 
first  instance  in  chronic,  old  standing  cases;  but  the  dose  does  not 
require  to  be  administered  oftener  than  once  in  two  days. 

In  addition  to  the  internal  treatment  the  ulcers  may  with 
advantage  be  dressed  with  Eucalyptus  9,  either  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  a  syringe  (glass)  or  a  spray  diffuser.  The  box 
or  stable  should  be  subjected  to  a  free  diffusion  of  the  Eucalyptus 
several  times  each  day  with  a  view  to  disinfection  and  preventing 
the  spread  of  the  disease. 

During  the  time  the  horse  is  under  treatment  it  should  have 
gentle  walking  exercise,  provided  it  does  not  come  near  either 
horse  or  man  other  than  the  usual  attendant,  the  food  should  be 
of  the  most  nutritious  and  digestible  character,  and  if  possible 
green  food  or  some  succulent  roots  should  be  included  in  the  allow- 
ance; the  box  requires  to  be  frequently  and  regularly  cleaned  out, 
but  the  bedding  ought  to  be  burned  immediately. 

ANTHRAX. 

Although  this  disease  is  but  rarely  encountered  among  horses 
in  Great  Britain,  there  is  good  reason  for  believing  that  its  geo- 


ANTHRAX.  73 

graphical  distribution  is  not  limited  to  any  particular  localities; 
while  in  some  it  is  more  frequently  met  with  than  in  others,  a  fact 
probably  due  to  the  special  conditions  under  which  it  owes  its 
spread  and  development;  and  inasmuch  as  its  presence  has  been 
clearly  recognized  among  the  western  states  of  the  North  Ameri- 
can Continent  we  have  deemed  it  advisable  to  include  it,  if  only 
as  a  precautionary  act,  in  the  list  of  maladies  dealt  with  in  the 
present  work;   and  we  consider  ourselves  fully  justified  in   this 
course;  for  if  there  is  one  disease  more  than  another  that  calls  for 
early  recognition  on  the  part  of  the  lay  horseman  it  is  anthrax, 
and  that  on  account  of  the  rapidity  with  which  the  virus  invades 
the  system  of  whatsoever  species  of  animal  unfortunately  receives 
it  and  the  very  short  time  the  patient  survives  the  invasion  if  not 
successfully  treated;  in  the  majority  of  instances,  even  where  the 
services  of  a  professional  veterinarian  are  available  they  can  rarely 
be  secured  in  time  to  save  the  first  case,  for  as  a  rule  when  one 
case  presents  itself  others  soon  follow  in  its  wake;  and  even  then 
the  probabilities  of  success  under  allopath'c  treatment  are  very 
remote,  and  oidy  a  prompt  recognition  of  the  disease  backed  up 
by  the  most  judicious  nursing  and  the  regular  administration  of 
the  most  appropriate  remedies,  of  which  there  are  but  two  or  three, 
will  effect  a  cure  under  homoeopathic  treatment.     This  disease 
owes  its  origin,  development  and  spread  to  a  vegetable  organism 
recognized   b_y  scientists  as  the   bacillus  ant/iracis,  and  it  is  now 
generall\-  admitted  that  this  organism  can  invade  the  system  either 
by  means  of  inoculation,  through  the  digestive  oi'gans,  through 
food,  or  b}'  inhalation  during  the  act  of  breathing;  this  organism 
appears  capable  of  retaining  its  vitality  under  the  most  peculiar 
conditions  and  for  an  unlimited  period;  the  bod}-  of  an  animal  that 
died  of  anthrax  and  was  buried,  may  if  disturbed  at  some  future 
period,  prove  a  source  of  contamination  and  infection;  or  if  water 
that   drains  into  a  pond  where  horses  are  accustomed  to  drink, 
should  in  its  course  of   filtration  through  the  soil,  come  in  contact 
with  that  dead  body  it  is  ver}'  likely *to  prove  a  source  ot  contami- 
nation.     Pasteur  who  has  given  great  attention  to  the  subject  of 
anthrax,  asserts  that  earthworms  are  capable  of  bringing  from 
such  a  dead   body,  though  deeply  buried,  the  anthrax  spores  to 
the  surface  from  whence  they  could  be  imparted  to  the  animals 
grazing  on  the  land  adjoining,  and  moreover  it  is  in  the  opinion 


74  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

of  some  scientists  quite  within  the  range  of  possibiUty  for  the 
infective  ^'irus  as  represented  by  spores  to  be  distributed  from  one 
part  of  a  countr}^  to  another  through  the  media  of  birds,  dogs  and 
even  flies  if  affected  carcasses  were  exposed  to  the  attacks  of  these 
creatures. 

It  is  quite  recognized  that  in  the  malady  known  as  wool  sorters' 
disease,  which  unquestionably  possesses  anthracoid  characteristics 
we  have  an  illustration  how  certainly  the  disease  maj^  be  propa- 
gated through  wool  and  hair  that  has  long  been  taken  from  the 
animals  which  were  as  certainly  the  subjects  of  anthrax;  this 
serves  to  confirm  our  previous  assertion  relative  to  the  almost 
unbounded  vitality  of  the  organism  and  the  readiness  with  which 
its  infective  proj^erties  are  transmitted.  The  place  in  the  body 
which  this  organism  occupies  and  thrives  in  is  the  blood,  and 
when  an  animal  dies  and  there  is  a  suspicion  that  it  is  due  to 
anthrax,  it  is  best  to  confirm  the  existing  doubt  by  an  experiment 
on  one  of  the  smaller  animals;  take,  say  a  rabbit,  make  a  slight 
incision  in  the  skin  of  the  ear  and  rub  in  gently  one  or  two  drops 
of  the  blood  of  the  dead  horse;  most  probablj^  a  very  few  hours 
will  suffice  to  show  whether  it  is  anthrax,  as  the  symptoms  of  the 
disease  followed  by  death  will  speedily  transpire:  we  are  not  to  be 
understood  as  generally  advocating  the  principles  of  vivisection, 
indeed  we  may  sa}'  that  we  strongly  object  to  their  general  prac- 
tice, as  there  is  no  proof  that  the  millions  of  animals  which  have 
been  cruelly  tortured  and  sacrificed  to  the  whims  of  fanciful 
scientists  have  ever  produced  the  slightest  benefit  to  science,  inas- 
much as  the  results  obtained  from  such  experiments  have  never 
saved  a  single  life;  this  is  strong  language  to  give  expression  to 
and  a  very  bold  statement  to  make,  but  we  believe  it  capable  of 
distinct  proof;  nevertheless  there  are  occasions  when  experiments 
on  living  animals  are  justifiable  wdiere  there  can  be  no  question 
about  the  advantage  to  be  derived  and  where  speculative  results 
are  not  looked  for;  the  present  is  one  of  the  few  of  those  cases 
and  the  end  here  justifies  the  means.  Now  we  are  of  opinion 
that  without  overloading  this  article  v.'ith  closer  details,  sufficient 
has  been  advanced  to  show  that  aptitude  of  recognition  and  smart- 
ness at  combatting  difficulties  are  absolutely  neces-sarj^  qualifica- 
tions if  this  di.sease  is  to  be  overcome;  and  believing  that  details 
as  to  life,  history,  pathology,  etc.,  would  only  serve  to  cumber 


ANTHRAX.  75 

this  article  without  rendering  it  any  more  understandable,  we 
proceed  to  define  the 

Symptoms,  characteristic  of  the  disease  in  horses;  the  most 
notable  indication,  assuming  that  no  prior  suggestion  has  been 
presented  is  the  violent  shaking  of  the  body  followed  by  sweating, 
w^hich  may  be  constant  or  occasionally  alternate  with  cold;  the 
breathing  is  exceptionally  violent;  the  horse  loses  control  over  his 
movements:  if  at  this  period  the  temperature  be  taken  it  will  be 
found  as  high  as  105  degrees  or  even  107  degrees;  after  the  before- 
mentioned  s3^mptoms  have  been  in  evidence  some  hours  the  horse 
will  possibly  become  delirious  to  be  followed  by  a  period  of  coma 
or  unconsciousness:  the  pulse  will  naturall}^  be  increased  in  fre- 
quency, the  beats  being  rather  of  a  tumultuous  character;  there 
is  one  notable  sj-mptom  that  has  been  referred  to  b}'  several 
observers,  namel}^  a  swelling  of  the  glands  of  the  neck  and  chest, 
for  sometime  the  temperature  is  inclined  to  rise  higher,  but  when 
it  does  the  pulse  becomes  weaker  in  tone  and  the  respiration  more 
hurried;  as  the  disease  advances  and  obtains  a  stronger  hold  upon 
the  system  the  nasal  membrane  become  spotted  over  with  blood 
markings  and  the  surface  assvnnes  a  pale,  sickly  appearance:  from 
these  blood  patches  blood  of  a  dark  color  oozes  out,  and  the  mouth 
is  filled  with  frothy,  stick}^  saliva;  this  is  the  period  that  delirium 
supervenes  and  the  horse  sliows  how  much  he  suffers  in  the  brain 
by  forcing  the  head  with  some  pressure  against  the  wall  or  side  of 
box;  the  muscular  tremors  will  become  more  pronounced,  shiver- 
ing and  sweating  will  be  renewed;  the  faecal  discharges  wall  be 
mixed  with  blood  and  the  urine  very  much  reduced  in  quality  will 
be  of  a  claret  color:  at  this  period  of  the  disease  the  temperature 
will  begin  to  decline  until  the  animal  heat  is  reduced  below  the 
normal  standard;  this  is  suggestive  of  Speedy  collapse,  and  the 
end  is  generall}-  attained  amidst  convulsive  struggles.  This  is 
the  picture  of  a  case  that  cannot  be  cured;  now  for  the 

Treatment. — This  is  one  of  the  few  diseases  in  which  among 
animals  the  administration  of  a  nosode  is  followed  by  success; 
and  that  remedy  is  Anthracinum  C.  M.,  the  virus  of  the  disease 
in  an  attenuated  form,  but  it  does  not  follow  that  it  must  of 
necessity  be  the  first  remedy  administered,  indeed,  unless  within 
easy  reach  of  a  druggist  who  kept  same  in  stock,  it  is  most  prob- 
able that  it  could  not  be  obtained  in  time  for  a  first  case;  but 


76  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

should  any  of  the  characteristic  sweUings  generally  observable  in 
the  ox,  but  rarely  in  the  horse  be  present,  and  these  be  accom- 
panied by  a  red  and  swollen  condition  of  the  natural  openings 
from  which  a  rusty  colored  mucus  is  issuing,  Anthracinum  should 
be  administered,  and  more  especially  if  the  patient  has  reached 
that  stage  of  the  malady  when  the  brain  is  affected  and  delirium 
supervenes. 

Lachesis,  12. — This  is  a  most  efficient  remedy,  and  as  it  is  one 
that  under  proper  conditions  can  be  safely  kept  at  hand  for  imme- 
diate use  when  called  for,  and  is  also  likely  to  prove  useful  in 
man}-  other  diseases;  it  is  fortunate  that  its  action  is  .so  reliable  in 
a  malady  whose  ordinary  development  after  reception  is  so  rapid: 
the  usual  quantity  (10  drops)  at  intervals  varjang  from  one  to 
three  hours  according  to  the  urgency  of  the  symptoms.. 

The  accessory  measures  are  in  the  first  place  to  separate  the 
health}^  from  those  that  are  diseased;  if  death  occurs  the  carcasses 
should  be  buried  at  a  depth  of  six  or  even  ten  feet,  and  a  very- 
liberal  supply  of  cjuicklime  should  be  introduced  under,  over  and 
around  the  carcass.  During  the  period  of  treatment  every  pre- 
caution should  be  taken  to  hinder  spread  of  infection  by  means  of 
the  excreta  or  whatever  in  the  shape  of  food,  water  and  utensils 
have  been  in  contact  with  the  patient;  the  stable  and  its  surround- 
ings strictl}^  disinfected  on  principles  hereinbefore  laid  down  for 
glanders;  and  last  though  not  least,  the  source  of  infection  ought 
to.be  traced  to  prevent  a  further  dissemination  of_the  virus;  par- 
ticularly does  this  refer  to  the  water  supply,  which  should  be 
properly  tested  b_v  an  expert  and  traced  to  its  source  and  through 
its  course  however  devious;  should  this  fail  the  food  supply  shouLl 
be  examined,  and  this  is  a  very  likely  source,  seeing  how  readily 
the  virus  is  transmitted,  as  witness  the  previous  illustration  of 
wool  sorters'  disease. 

In  cases  where  the  patient  gives  evidence  of  receiving  benefit 
from  the  remedial  measures  adopted,  but  at  the  same  time  ex- 
haustion, weakness  and  inertia  predominate  and  seem  to  hinder 
the  restorative  process,  much  benefit  would  accrue  from  the  in- 
halation of  oxygen. gas  as  described  in  the  chapter  on  influenza, 
as  it  is  generally  considered  that  this  gas  plays  an  important  part 
in  attenuating  the  poisonous  qualities  of  the  bacillus  or  anthrax 
organism.     The   food    must    of    necessity    be    of  a    light,    easily 


RHEUMATISM.  77 

digestible  description;  such  as  small  quantities  of  oatmea.,  boiled 
linseed,  pearl  barley  boiled,  carrots,  artificial  grasses  cut  up  into 
short  lengths;  eggs  beaten  up  and  mixed  with  a  little  port  wine; 
beef  tea;  a  selection  to  be  made  according  to  the  ability  of  the 
horse  to  partake  and  the  effect  produced. 

If  swellings  appear  on  the  body,  suppurate,  burst  and  discharge 
the  open  wounds  should  be  carefully  washed  with  a  non-irritating 
antiseptic,  such  as  a  solution  of  Sulphurous  {not  Sulphuric)  acid 
or  Eucalyptus. 

RHEUMATISM. 

A  specific  malady,  affecting  particular  tissues,  of  an  inflamma- 
tory type,  attended  with  some  swelling  and  much  pain,  a  peculiar 
characteristic  being  the  readiness  with  which  it  leaves  one  part 
and  shifts  to  another;  it  is  markedly  affected  by  climatic  influ- 
ences both  as  regards  its  origin  and  continuance;  the  tissues 
chiefly  affected  in  the  horse  are  those  described  as  ' '  ivhite fibrous ' ' 
of  which  tendons,  ligaments,  and  their  sheaths  consist;  the  first 
indication  of  its  presence  in  the  system  is  made  manifest  b}'  an 
observation  that  the  horse  is  lame;  next  to  the  tendons,  the  joints 
of  the  legs  feel  the  force  of  the  attack  and  here  it  is  the  'fibro- 
serous''  membranes  that  are  the  seat  of  the  disease  process;  these 
particular  membranes  may  be  recognized  by  any  one  who  will  ex- 
amine the  ends  of  two  bones  forming  a  joint;  the  end  of  one  bone 
is  rounded  to  fit  into  the  cavity  of  the  bone  it  comes  into  opposi- 
tion with,  but  both  are  covered  with  a  glazed-looking  membrane, 
which  with  some  trouble  will  peel  off;  this  membrane  receives  a 
fluid  called  synovia,  secreted  in  a  special  apparatus  close  at  hand 
which  serves  to  lubricate  the  joint  and  make  the  two  ends  of  the 
bones  glide  smoothly  one  upon  another;  not  infrequently  a  change 
seems  to  take  place  on  this  tissue  under  the  influence  of  the 
rheumatic  attack,  the  quantity  of  the  fluid  is  materially  diminished 
and  the  gliding  function  of  the  joint  interfered  with  in  consequence, 
hence  stiffness  of  the  parts  supervenes  and  causes  great  incon- 
venience, even  though  the  pain  is  not  acute. 

The  next  tissue  upon  which  the  rheumatic  poison  centres  its 
force  is  the  muscles;  but  as  it  is  found  much  more  frequently  in 
these  muscles  that  are  clothed  with  a  thin,  but  very  strong  cover- 
ing consisting  mainly  of  the  aforesaid  white-fibrous  tissue,  while 


78  VETKRIXARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

those  muscles  into  the  composition  of  which  white- fibrous  tissue 
does  not  enter  are  rarely  the  seat  of  rheumatism,  we  feel  justi- 
fied in  coming  to  the  conclusion  that  these  connective  tissues  as 
they  are  called  are  the  chief  seat  of  attraction  for  this  disease. 
It  is  rare  for  the  horse  to  be  the  subject  of  rheumatism  in  that  acute 
form  which  is  experienced  by  the  human  subject  nor  does  its 
development  frequently  extend  to  that  vital  organ,  the  heart,  as 
is  the  case  in  man;  at  the  same  time  if  a  horse  has  been  the  sub- 
ject of  chronic  rheumatism  for  a  length  of  time  and  the  treat- 
ment it  has  experienced  has  not  proved  satisfactory,  cases  have 
come  under  notice  in  which  the  valves  of  the  heart  seemed  to  be 
affected  during  life,  a  diagnosis  that  has  several  times  been  con- 
firmed by  us,  post  mortem;  in  examining  a  horse  for  soundness, 
we  invariably  make  a  rule  to  auscultate  the  chest  to  discover 
abnormal  heart  sounds,  if  present;  and  on  one  occasion  warned 
the  buyer  that  the  valves  of  the  heart  were  diseased — probably 
rheumatic  in  origin — but  so  much  was  the  buyer's  h^art  set  upon 
this  particular  animal  that  he  determined  to  risk  purchase  against 
our  advice  to  the  contrary;  and  paid  the  penalty  accordingly,  for 
it  was  not  long  before  the  horse  fell  dead  in  the  street  when  draw- 
ing the  carriage;  we  also  know  the  case  of  a  racehorse  that  was 
known  to  be  extremely  speedy  who  seemed  rarely  able  to  win  a 
race  collapsing  and  dying  away  as  it  were  at  the  critical  part  of 
the  race;  he  was  designated  a  '' non-stayer \'"  I  diagnosed  him  as 
the  subject  of  heart  disease;  one  morning  he  was  found  dead  in 
his  box,  and  the  autopsy  showed  thickening  of  the  valves  of  the 
heart;  these  cases,  however,  are  in  our  experience  not  very  numer- 
ous; this  somewhat  extraordinary  development  of  the  disease  does 
not  however  offer  any  serious  obstacle  to  successful  treatment; 
certainly  the  drugs  required  under  such  conditions  differ  from 
those  that  are  so  successfully  used  when  the  extremities  are  the 
seat  of  affection.  If  it  can  be  affirmed  that  the  homoeopathic 
principle  shines  in  some  diseases  more  than  others,  certainly 
rheumatism  should  be  included  in  the  list;  but  in  our  opinion  the 
reason  why  success  is  more  notable  in  what  may  be  termed  the 
exceptional  diseases  is  due  to  the  fact  that  Allopath}^  fails  utterly 
therein  and  therefore  the  comparison  is  all  in  favor  of  the  system 
that  effects  a  large  proportion  of  cures. 

In  cases  where  the  disease  locates  itself  in  a  very    acute    form 


RHEUMATISM.  79 

the  temperature  is  as  a  rule  exalted;  the  pulse  full,  rapid  and  the 
artery  unyielding  to  pressure;  at  the  same  time  it  is  very  often  the 
case  that  the  disease  confines  the  force  of  its  action  upon  the 
locality  affected  and  by  the  general  system  is  not  much  disturbed; 
nor  are  the  febrile  symptoms  very  pronounced. 

The  advent  of  the  disease  is  sudden.  An  animal  when  left  at 
night  may  to  all  appearances  have  been  perfectly  sound,  while  in 
the  morning  the  groom  found  it  incapable  of  movement.  Exam- 
ination of  the  limb  or  limbs  will  show  a  swollen  joint  or  the  back 
tendons  very  full,  and  on  manipulation  they  will  be  found  hot  and 
extremely  tender;  this  may  be  the  condition  of  things  for  some 
hours,  when  all  at  once  affected  limbs  will  be  relieved,  but  the 
other  two  may  be  similarly  affected  and  so  by  ringing  the  changes 
on  the  limbs  the  disease  declares  itself  and  recognition  is  not  diffi- 
cult. Should  the  disease  assume  the  chronic  form  the  swelling 
and  tenderness  on  manipulation  may  not  be  prominent  symptoms, 
while  a  decided  stiffness  of  the  joints  or  muscles  is  clearly  dis- 
cernible by  the  peculiar  dragging  method  of  progression.  When 
rheumatism  locates  itself  in  the  muscles  of  the  shoulder  the  horse 
will  be  found  standing  with  the  limb  flexed  and  resting  on  the 
point  of  the  toe;  when  called  upon  to  move  the  horse  is  unable  to 
lift  the  foot  off  the  ground  and  drags  it  along  in  a  helpless  manner. 
The  same  mode  of  progression  is  observable  in  a  hind  limb  when 
the  seat  of  the  disease  is  the  hip  joint  or  the  muscles  of  the  loins; 
again,  when  the  lameness  is  situate  in  the  shoulder,  the  animal 
stands  as  though  transfixed,  it  requires  considerable  force  to  induce 
him  to  move;  this  is  often  called  ''  shouldey-tied;'''  when  it  affects 
the  hind  limbs  it  is  described  as  "  loi?i  bou7id;''  it  is  difficult  to 
state  which  portions  of  the  limbs  are  most  frequently  affected  as 
the  disease  will  very  often  display  its  force  upon  the  knee  and 
fetlock  joints,  but  rarely  in  the  bocks;  so  far  as  our  experience 
goes  we  have  observed  it  more  in  the  shoulders  than  any  other 
parts,  the  peculiar  dragging  gait  and  tenderness  on  manipulation 
enabling  us  to  locate  it.  The  condition  of  the  urine  not  infre- 
quently serves  to  confirm  the  opinion  that  we  are  face  to  face  with 
a  case  of  rheumatism,  for  if  tested,  chemically,  it  will  be  found 
abnormally  acid,  but  apart  from  that,  if  collected  and  allowed  to 
stand  till  cool,  a  thick  deposit  will  be  observable.  Rheumatism 
s  said   to  be  due  to  climatic  influences;  whether  this  is  a  fact  we 


8o  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

do  not  pretend  to  assert;  but  one  thing  is  quite  clear,  that  what- 
ever produces  the  disease,  it  is  in  a  very  marked  degree  affected 
by  atmospheric  surroundings.  Some  cases  being  aggravated  by 
damp,  while  others  are  affected  by  dry  cold,  and  these  indications 
serve  as  very  reliable  guides  in  the  selection  of  a  remedy.  By 
some  the  malady  is  considered  to  be  due  to  hereditary  taint,  but 
with  this  view  we  do  not  concur,  save  that  in  our  opinion  all 
diseases  are  more  or  less  hereditary;  by  which  we  mean  that 
if  either  sire  or  dam  have  during  their  life  been  the  subject  of  au}^ 
disease  in  an  acute  form,  there  is  a  probability  of  a  tendency  to 
that  particular  disease,  whatever  it  may  be,  in  the  offspring; 
among  the  principal  causes  which  operate  in  the  development  of 
rheumatism  may  be  included  poverty,  indifferent  diet,  unhealthy 
surroundings,  exposure,  fatigue  and  moisture. 

Treatment. — There  are  three  remedies  which  are  pre- 
eminently suitable  to  cure  rheumatism  namely  Aconite,  Bryonia 
and  Rhus  toxicodendron,  and  in  the  majority  of  cases  they  cover 
the  whole  ground  so  far  as  horses  are  concerned,  there  are,  how- 
ever, some  few  exceptions  which  will  be  duly  noted  as  we  pro- 
ceed. 

Aconite  3X:. — Fever  pronounced,  temperature  103  degrees  or 
over.  Restlessness,  unable  to  stand  still,  although  it  gives  pain 
to  move;  affected  parts  red  and  swollen;  very  tender  to  the  touch; 
respirations  hurried;  unable  to  pass  water,  with  evident  pain  when 
it  is  attempted;  swelling  shifts  from  one  leg  to  another  in  cold, 
dry  weather;  skin  dry  and  hot,  great  thirst. 

Bryonia  3X. — Stiffness  of  joints;  inability  to  move;  breathing 
evidently  painful,  respirations  short  and  catchy;  joints  swollen 
but  not  red;  skin  is  dry  generally  but  perspiration  bursts  out  oc- 
casionally, when  the  stable  atmosphere  may  have  an  acid  smell; 
thirst  is  considerable;  stools  dry  and  dark  in  color;  cold,  dry  winds 
aggravate,  moving  about  increases  the  pain  as  evidenced  b}'  the 
animal  refusing  to  move  when  called  upon;  pain  in  the  chest. 

Rhus  toxicodendron  3X. — Damp  atmosphere  and  wet  weather 
aggravate  symptoms;  horse  moves  about  and  evidently  obtains, 
relief  from  so  doing;  affected  parts  swollen  and  red;  warm  ap- 
plications seem  to  relieve;  great  tenderness  on  manipulation  as 
when  the  limb  is  strained;  continued  restlessness  whether  lying 
or  standing. 


RHEUMATISM.  8 1 

Belladonna  3X  will  occasionally  prove  to  be  more  appropriate 
than  Aconite  in  the  early  stages  of  acute  rheumatism  when  the 
following-  symptoms  predominate:  swelling  of  the  joints  or 
other  parts  red,  tense  and  shining;  horse  starts  every  now  and 
again;  the  eyes  staring  and  bright,  and  the  pupils  dilated  espe- 
cially when  the  starting  takes  place;  this  peculiar  symptom  is 
probably  due  to  a  sharp  shock  of  pain  darting  through  the  limb; 
and  the  leading  indication  for  Belladonna  visible  pulsation  of  large 
superficial  arteries,  notably  the  carotids  where  exposed. 

Caulophyllnvi  ix — Very  useful  in  cases  where  the  disease  at- 
tacks the  fetlock  joints,  and  shifts  frequently  from  one  leg  to 
another  or  from  the  extremities  to  the  loins;  especially  so  with 
mares  that  have  been  pregnant  and  aborted. 

Ruta  graveolens  6x  in  cases  where  the  knees  of  the  fore  legs  or 
the  hocks,  or  either  are  the  principal  parts  affected  more  especially 
when  constipation  is  also  present  which  requires  great  straining  to 
effect  a  stool ;  further  when  the  parts  of  the  body  upon  which  the 
horse  has  been  resting  are  tender  and  sore  to  manipulation. 

Among  the  measures  adopted  from  the  nurses'  standpoint,  the 
most  important  are  the  use  of  warm  clothing;  the  maintenance  of 
an  even,  dry  temperature  in  the  stable,  say  60  degrees  F. ;  abund- 
ant facilities  for  rest  and  comfort;  bedding  straw  should  be  cut 
into  short  lengths  or  sawdust  a  foot  deep  provided;  food  to  con- 
sist of  light,  digestible  things,  such  as  milk,  oatmeal  and  bran  in 
€qual  proportions;  carrots,  and  if  available,  artificial  grasses,  such 
as  clover,  lucerne,  sainfoin;  for  drinking  purposes  gruel  made  from 
pearl  barley  is  the  best  that  can  be  utilized.  In  the  majority  of 
cases  the  symptoms  are  aggravated  by  damp,  moist  climate,  and 
therefore  Rhus  tox.  is  the  probable  remedy,  when  this  is  so,  great 
relief  may  be  afforded  and  the  cure  hastened  by  locally  applying 
•the  remedy  to  the  affected  legs;  a  lotion  of  Rhus  tox.  0,  one  part 
of  same  to  five  of  water  suffices;  take  a  good  piece  of  tow, 
thoroughly  pull  it  to  pieces,  dip  it  in  aforesaid  lotion  and  allow  it 
to  soak  sufficiently  long  to  become  thoroughly  impregnated,  after 
which  wring  it  out  and  apply  to  the  joint  or  tendons,  with  a  layer 
of  oilskin  to  enclose  and  thereafter  bound  round  with  a  flannel 
bandage  to  keep  it  in  apposition  with  the  parts;  this  may  with 
advantage  be  removed  three  times  a  day;  where  other  remedies 
are  indicated  a  similar  procedure  may  be  adopted  or  in  the  place 
6 


82  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHV. 

of  tow,  medicated  cotton  wool  used  dry  nia^-  be  resorted  to,  in  order 
that  the  parts  may  be  protected  and  kept  warm;  after  the  swelhng 
and  tenderness  are  abated  the  dressing  should  be  discontinued, 
but  in  order  that  a  relapse  may  be  avoided,  it  is  better  to  continue 
the  use  of  a  lighter  flannel  bandage  for  some  days  until  the  limbs 
become  gradually  accustomed  to  dispense  with  a  covering,  and  so 
the  risk  of  extreme  exposure  may  be  averted. 

BLOOD  POISONING. 


PYEMIA  SEPTICEMIA. 

It  is  not  intended  to  deal  with  this  condition  as  one  that  arises 
of  itself,  but  to  point  out  that  it  is  usually  the  concomitant  of  some 
other  more  clearly  defined  disease  process  or  is  the  resultant  of  an 
injury;  judging,  however,  by  experience,  whatever  definition  may 
be  attempted  to  describe  the  process,  it  appears  to  produce  a  febrile 
condition  of  decided  intensity  and  one  that  is  peculiar  to  itself, 
and  as  medicinal  treatment  has  been  found  capable  of  counteract- 
ing its  pernicious  influence  on  the  animal  system,  we  have  deemed 
it  wise  to  set   apart  a  short  chapter  to  its  consideration.     The 
change  which  takes  place  in  the  blood   leads  one  to  infer  that  a 
something  simulating  decomposition  takes  place  in  that  fluid;  the 
infective  material,  whatever  it  may  be,  and  whether  due  to  vegetable 
organisms  or  not,  seems  to  gain  entrance  more  generally  than  in 
other  ways,  into  the  system  through  ruptured  tissues  as  the  result 
of  injury  or  surgical  operations;  this,  having  obtained  access  into 
the  blood  current,  is  rapidly  conveyed  over  the  body  and  the  con- 
sequence is   vascular  irritation   and    general   disturbance   of  the 
system ;  this  not  only  results  in  a  considerable  elevation  of  tem- 
perature, but  frequently  in  the  establishment  of  an  inflammatory 
state,  which  ultimately  gives  rise  to  the  production  and  develop- 
ment of  matter  (pus)  which  endeavors  to  find  exit  in  the  production 
of  abscesses  over  various  parts  of  the  body.     If  the  blood  be  ex- 
amined it  will  be  found  much  darker  in  color  than  ordinary,  when 
allowed  to  stand  it  does  not  form  a  clot,  and  it  contains  similar 
vegetable  organisms  (bacteria)  to  those  found  in  the  matter  (pus) 
when    submitted    to    microscopical    examination;    the    infective 
material  can  enter  the  system  other  than  through  wounds,  but  in 


PYEMIA   vSEPTIC.'EMIA,  83 

the  horse  we  have  never  known  of  such  a  case,  and  other  writers 
vouch  for  the  rarity  of  the  condition  among  equines;  wounds,  such 
as  punctured  feet,  either  as  a  consequence  of  carlessness  on  the 
part  of  a  blacksmith  or  through  picking  up  a  nail  in  the  street, 
may  easily  be  attended  by  blood  poisoning;  wounds  inflicted  dur- 
ing an  important  surgical  operation,  if  there  are  any  putrefactive 
products  in  the  immediate  neighborhood,  may  easily  account  for 
the  ultimate  development  of  blood  poisoning;  while  there  is  no 
doubt  it  may  appear  during  the  course  of  or  as  a  sequel  to  some 
well-defined  disease.  Blood  poisoning  is  generally  ushered  in  with 
marked  suddenness;  the  elevation  of  the  internal  temperature  is 
very  rapid;  the  horse  exhibits  marked  indications  of  systemic  ex- 
haustion; when  the  abscesses  form  internally  the  lungs  are  often 
the  organs  attacked,  consequently  all  the  symptoms  of  pneumonia 
in  an  aggravated  form  are  present;  this  latter  condition  is  peculiar 
to  a  disease  known  among  racing  men  in  Great  Britain  as  ' '  New- 
market Fever,''  which  will  be  referred  to  more  in  detail  farther  on, 
the  author  assuming  that  racing  men  in  the  United  States  will  be 
interested  in  this  peculiar,  and  among  sportsmen,  well-known  dis- 
ease, the  consequences  of  which  are  recognized  as  responsible  for 
so  many  thoroughbreds  disappointing  their  owners  during  their 
running  career.  When  the  infection  takes  place  through  a  wound 
the  condition  may  be  recognized  b}'  some  local  changes  in  the  sur- 
rounding parts,  which  become  dark,  and  as  though  an  unusual 
quantity  of  blood  were  collected  thereabouts;  the  wound  looks 
angry,  and  ultimately  the  skin  appears  dead  and  pieces  will  drop 
off  and  the  wound  instead  of  healing  in  the  ordinary  way  continues 
to  discharge  a  thin,  reddish-black  fluid. 

Treat:mext. — Allopathy  evidently  knows  of  nothing  but  anti- 
septic measures  apparently  with  the  object  of  destroying  the 
bacteria  in  the  blood;  but  as  the  orthodox  profession  is  compelled 
to  admit,  no  doubt  with  great  reluctance,  the  majority  of  cases 
prove  fatal;  homoeopathists  can  fortunately  show  an  altogether 
different  record.  America  has  a  very  notable  case  in  point,  that 
of  the  late  lamented  Dr.  Carroll  Dunham,  to  whom  passing  refer- 
ence has  already  been  made;  he  was  the  subject  of  blood  poison- 
ing, as  the  result  of  a  wound  inflicted  during  the  performance  of 
an  autopsy,  and  we  believe  we  are  well  within  the  truth  when  we 
state  that  he  was  so  ill  in  consequence  as  to  be  nigh  unto  death, 


84  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

and  only  as  a  last  resort  did  ha  consent  to  test  a  lionioeopathic 
remedy;  this,  however,  he  did  try  with  the  happiest  results,  as  his 
life  was  saved;  he  was  converted  to  homoeopathy  and  ultimately 
became  one  of  its  most  ardent  and  consistent  advocates. 

The  remedy  which  was  instrumental  in  saving  Dr.  Dunham's 
valuable  life  is  the  one  we  have  found  useful  on  more  than  one 
occasion  among  the  lower  animals;  we  refer  to  Lachesis  12.  An- 
other remedy  of  the  same  class  is  Crotaliis,  but  our  experience  is 
that  it  is  not  necessary  to  look  beyond  the  first;  for  all  such  malig- 
nant conditions  which  arise  from  a  poisoning  of  the  blood  and  all 
the  attendant  complications  and  consequences  there  is  no  remedy 
more  strictly  homoeopathic  than  Lachesis  12.  So  far  as  local  ap- 
plications are  concerned  we  still  believe  in  this  remedy  and  apply- 
ing it  by  means  of  the  spray  difFuser  in  the  same  strength  as  ad- 
ministered internally,  namely,  ten  or  fifteen  drops  in  a  wineglass 
of  water;  or,  if  an  antiseptic  agent  is  preferred,  and  from  some 
points  of  view  this  may  be  desirable,  if  only  to  act  as  deodorizer, 
then  a  weak  solution  of  Candy's  Fluid  or  Sulphurous  acid  can  with 
advantage  be  availed  of.  Every  facility  should  be  afforded  for 
the  admission  of  fresh  air,  and  for  a  few  days  the  horse  should  be 
supported  with  eggs  beaten  up  in  milk,  in  the  proportion  of  three 
fresh  eggs  to  a  quart  of  milk,  to  be  repeated  every  three  hours; 
this  may  be  varied  by  some  beef  tea  and  an  occasional  wineglass 
of  Scotch  whiskey  in  a  teacup  of  milk,  but  so  long  as  the  horse 
will: take  the  non-alcoholic  food,  and  does  not  get  too  low,  it  is 
better  to  dispense  with  the  whiskey,  as  the  blood  is  already  in  a 
too  irritable  condition. 

When  abscesses  form  externally  and  do  not  burst  and  discharge 
readily,  they  may  when  located  in  situations  where  the  skin  is 
thick  and  tough  and  takes  a  long  while  to  break  down,  be  advan- 
tageously opened,  discharged  and  cleansed. 

The  atmosphere  of  the  box  should  be  regularly  impregnated 
with  Eucalyptus  <-f,  by  means  of  the  spray  difFuser,  as  before  sug- 
gested, and  the  patient  kept  comfortabl}^  warm  by  means  of  cloth- 
ing; so  soon  as  the  febrile  conditions  are  allayed  and  convalescence 
has  .set  in  a  dose  or  two  of  Sulpluir  i2x  should  precede  a  course 
of  China  (■>,  ten  drops  twice  a  day  for  a  fortnight,  or  longer  if 
necessary;  the  ordinary  food  being  gradually  resorted  to  so  soon 
as  the  horse  seems  able  to  digest  it. 


RABIES.  85 


RABIES. 


This  terrible  disease  can  only  be  developed  in  the  horse  as  the 
result  of  inoculation  and  can  generally  be  traced  to  the  bite  of  a 
dog;  spontaneous  generation  is  uot  now  recognized  as  possible;  of 
course  the  disease  may  be  imparted  to  a  horse  through  the  bite  of 
one  that  is  already  rabid,  and  it  is  with  a  view  of  preventing  such 
a  calamity  that  we  deal  with  the  disease  at  all  in  these  pages,  for 
while  considering  it  not  altogether  impracticable  to  effect  a  cure, 
provided  proper  measures  are  taken  in  good  time,  still  the  risk  in- 
curred by  reason  of  the  dangerous  propensities  it  gives  rise  to,  and 
the  damage  which  in  attempiug  treatment  might  be  inflicted  by 
so  pDwerful  an  animal,  w^e  are  strongly  of  opinion  that  the  safest 
and  wisest  course  is  to  slaughter  the  sufferer  as  soon  as  the  un- 
questionable proof  vst  forthcoming  that  a  case  of  rabies  has  to  be 
dealt  with. 

It  is  more  than  likely  that  a  horse  may  be  inoculated  with  the 
virus  of  rabies  by  the  bite  of  a  dog  without  the  owner  or  his 
attendants  being  cognizant  of  the  occurrence;  it  is,  therefore, 
desirable  to  give  the  list  of  symptoms  by  which  madness  may  be 
recognized,  so  that,  at  least,  those  in  charge  may  be  able  to  gain 
the  necessary  information,  the  possession  of  which  is  all-import- 
ant to  put  them  on  their  guard  against  the  more  serious  and  danger- 
ous developments. 

There  is  no  time  that  can  be  fixed  as  the  period  of  incubation 
after  the  animal  has  been  bitten,  nor  is  there  anything  in  the 
manner  of  the  horse  to  suggest  that  he  has  been  inoculated  wath 
the  rabies  virus  until  the  more  definite  symptoms,  peculiar  to  ihe 
disease,  commence  to  display  themselves.  Probably  among  the 
earlier  symptoms  observable  are  great  excitability,  inability  to 
control  its  movements,  the  muscles  of  the  loins  and  hind  legs 
generally  become  hard  and  unyielding  to  the  touch,  as  also  ma}' 
those  of  the  back  and  neck,  and  caution  must  be  exercised  that  the 
rigid  condition  of  the  large  muscle  is  not  mistaken  for  tetanus  Tlock- 
jaw)  nor  tetanus  for  it ;  there  are  symptoms  of  differentiation,  easih' 
recognized  by  the  professional  veterinarian,  but  the  layman  needs 
to  be  on  his  guard  to  discern  the  one  disease  from  the  other;  to  do 
which  satisfactorily  he  must  stud}^  both  diseases  carefully  for  him- 
self and  get  the  difference  in  the  symptoms  impressed  on  his  mind 


86  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

lest  the  consequences  of  such  an  error  cost  him  dearly;  to  continue 
the  symptomatology,  the  earlier  SN^nptoms  referred  to  are  speedily 
followed  by  the  exhibition  of  an  ungovernable  temper;  the 
slightest  noise  in  or  near  to  the  stable  excites  the  animal  to  such 
an  extent  that  he  will  dash  himself  about  to  the  imminent  risk  of 
knocking  the  partitions  and  doors  down;  as  the  disease  advances 
the  salivary  glands  become  greatly  influenced  and  large  quantities 
of  saliva  will  flow  from  the  mouth,  while  the  animal  makes  a 
vicious  grab  at  anything  and  everything  that  comes  within  its 
reach.  One  of  the  most  marked  differences  between  tetanus  and 
rabies,  so  far  as  the  spasmodic  condition  of  the  muscles  is  con- 
cerned, that  in  rabies  the  muscles  of  the  jaws  are  rarely  affected 
while  in  tetanus  this  is  the  most  frequent  and  special  seat  of  action, 
and  this,  as  is  well  known,  to  an  extent  that  the  jaws  are  in- 
capable of  extension  and  hence  the  designation  ' '  lockjaw. ' ' 

As  the  disease  gains  a  more  decided  hold  on  the  horse  the  fury 
becomes  more  pronounced  until  it  reaches  such  a  height  of  in- 
tensity that  it  can  do  no  more;  then  intervals  of  cessation  are 
observable  and  the  disease  assumes  the  form  of  periodical  fits, 
which  gradually  become  less  and  less  violent,  until  a  relapse  into 
the  opposite  extreme,  that  of  stupor  and  even  paralysis  takes 
its  place;  this  is  an  indication  that  death  is  not  far  off  and  its 
thorough  establishment  is  soon  followed  by  the  closing  scenes  as 
exemplified  by  a  most  painful  exhibition  of  suffering. 

"Treatment  may  with  reason  be  attempted  if  the  fact  that  the 
horse  has  been  bitten  by  a  rabid  dog  or  animal  is  recognized  at 
the  time,  also  in  the  earlier  stages  w^iere  symptoms  and  surround- 
ing circumstances  warrant  the  suspicion  that  rabies  has  to  be  con- 
tended with;  but  once  the  disease  is  thoroughly  established  and 
the  more  violent  indications  of  its  existence  are  displayed,  to  at- 
tempt treatment  would  be  undiluted  folly,  were  it  for  no  other 
reason  than  the  risk  to  human  life  which  must  attend  it.  Among 
the  remedies  that  have  been  proved  capable  of  destroying  the 
virus  of  rabies,  none  stand  out  more  definitely  than 

BcUado7ina,  and  this  should  be  administered  in  a  fairly  high  at- 
tenuation say  the  6x.  We  believe  that  Dr.  Hering,  one  of  the 
most  popular  and  successful  homoeopathic  physicians  that  ever 
practiced  in  the  United  States  of  America,  advocates  the  admin- 
istration of  Ilydrophobin  which  is  of  course  none  other  than  the 


LYMPHANGITIS.  87 

active  virus  in  an  attenuated  form — and  here  again  is  an  instance 
of  Homoeopathy  taking  precedence  of  the  scientists,  as  vide 
"Pasteur"  and  his  cure  of  rabies  inoculated  patients;  the  symp- 
toms for  the  selection  of  Hydrophobin  are  that  the  wound  made 
by  the  rabid  dog  assumes  a  bluish-red  color  and  the  edges  thereof 
are  hard  and  swollen.  Other  remedies  which  may  be  occasionally 
useful  are  Stramo7iium  and  Hyoscyamus  but  as  these  belong  to  the 
same  natural  order  as  Belladonna  the  differences  are  rather  re- 
fined and  call  for  a  closer  study  than  can  be  given  here  when  the 
general  recommendation  is  slaughter;  we  would  issue  one  warn- 
ing, never  under  anj^  circumstances  adopt  the  suicidal  practice  of 
cauterization;  it  is  absolutely  the  surest  way  of  insuring  the  de- 
velopment of  the  virus  because  by  its  adoption  the  blood  vessels 
are  all  sealed  up  and  the  escape  of  the  virus  is  impossible;  if 
within  the  range  of  possibility  submit  the  animal  to  a  Turkish 
bath  or  some  such  process  so  as  to  secure  the  most  profuse  pers- 
piration, in  this  way  you  may  succeed  in  sweating  out  the  virus; 
if  you  use  a  cauterizing  agent  you  ensure  its  being  firmly  locked 
into  the  system. 

WEED. 


LYMPHANGITIS. 

Among  stablemen  this  form  of  disease,  whose  presence  is  re- 
cognized by  lameness  and  swelling  of  one  or  both  hind  legs — rarely 
the  forelegs — is  described  as  ' '  Monday  Morning  Disease  ' '  pre- 
sumably because  it  usually  makes  itself  manifest  after  the  cus- 
tomary rest  on  the  Sabbath  or  succeeding  an  enforced  rest  on  ac- 
count of  the  inclemency  of  the  weather.  Its  cause  is  generall}^ 
attributed  to  a  disordered  state  of  the  digestive  functions  and  it 
was  a  matter  of  question  with  the  writer  whether  its  proper  place 
in  this  work  should  not  have  been  among  Diseases  of  the  Digestive 
Tract;  but  on  second  consideration,  it  was  determined  that  though 
closely  allied  with  the  function  of  digestion,  it  could  not  be  afl&rmed 
that  the  digestive  organs  proper,  namely  those  organs  that  are  en- 
closed within  the  abdomen,  are  responsible  for  its  development,  nor 
is  its  pathological  condition  located  in  these  organs;  moreover  it  is 
a  disease  which  exercises  a  disturbing  influence  upon  the  whole  sys- 
tem, as  is  evidenced  by  the   exhalted  temperature,  increased  fre- 


88  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

quency  of  pulse  and  respirations  with  other  symptoms  common  to 
many  febrile  disorders  which  profoundly  influence  the  general 
constitution.  In  the  absence  of  an  acquaintance  with  the  general 
phj^siological  processes  associated  with  digestion  and  the  assimila- 
tion of  food  as  it  undergoes  digestion  for  the  purpose  of  restoring 
wasted  tissues,  it  is  a  somewhat  difhcult  undertaking  to  attempt  an 
efficient  explanation  of  the  relation  which  exists  between  these 
processes  and  the  somewhat  remarkable  development  in  the  legs  of 
a  horse,  and  therefore  we  shall  have  to  ask  our  readers  to  take  a 
great  deal  on  trust.  We  may  perhaps  venture  to  assume  that  most 
men  who  have  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  a  moderate  education  are 
acquainted  with  the  fact  that  the  blood  is  carried  from  the  heart 
to  the  outermost  limits  of  the  body  by  means  of  tubes  or  vessels 
known  as  arteries;  these  arteries  gradually  become  smaller  and 
smaller  and  increase  in  number,  as  they  approach  the  limits  of 
the  body  and  are  then  described  as  capillaries;  these  again  turn 
round  the  corner  after  arriving  at  the  skin  and  begin  to  enlarge 
gradually  until  they  become  veins  which  again  further  enlarge 
until  the  blood  passes  into  one  vessel  that  empties  itself  into  the 
heart;  in  this  manner  the  blood  performs  a  circuit,  so  to  say,  of  the 
whole  body,  and  ultimately  comes  back  again  to  its  starting  point 
the  heart,  which  has  to  act  as  an  engine  for  pumping  the  blood 
through  the  system  of  tubes  called  arteries,  capillaries  and  veins; 
in  conjunction  and  side  by  side  in  many  parts  of  the  body,  with  the 
blood  vesselsis  another  system  of  tubes  called  lymphatics  whose 
function  is  closely  connected  with  the  distribution  of  material  that 
serves  to  build  up  and  renew  the  body  and  also  to  convey  same  to 
the  blood  with  which  it  is  connected  by  means  of  the  vessels  already 
referred  to;  in  structure  the  larger  lymph  vessels  are  like  veins;  the 
material  these  vessels  contain  is  collected  by  absorption  from  the 
tissues  through  which  they  pass,  and  is  in  the  first  instance  the 
watery  constituents  of  the  blood,  but  these  vessels  pass  through 
various  callijig  stations,  if  we  may  so  describe  them,  called  glands 
where  it  is  considered  reorganization  of  the  material  goes  on  and 
as  the  circulation  of  the  material  progresses  in  its  course  along 
these  channels  changes  are  affected  in  its  composition,  certain 
matters  being  left  behind  and  others  taken  up  for  conveyance  to 
the  blood  stream,  some  of  which  are  probably  intended  to  be  con- 
veyed out  of  the  system  while  others   undergo  changes  which. 


LYMPHANGITIS.  89 

adapt  them  for  nutritive  purposes;  man}'  of  these  small  lymph 
vessels  start  from  small  points  in  the  intestines  and  while  the  pro- 
cess of  digestion  is  going  on  take  up  portions  of  the  imperfectly 
digested  material,  called  chyle,  conveying  it  also  along  these  tubes 
and  this  in  its  course  presumably  becomes  mixed  with  the  water}' 
constituents  of  the  blood  picked  up  b}^  these  vessels  in  other  parts 
of  the  body. 

Now  as  these  vessels  (lymphatics)  are  found  all  over  the  bod 3', 
generally  in  company  with  blood  vessels,  at  all  events  in  the  legs 
of  the  horse,  it  will  be  understood  how  it  is  that  digestion  is 
considered  to  play  so  prominent  a  part  in  the  production  of  lym- 
phangitis (or  weed).  The  ordinary  constitutional  symptoms 
are  very  similar  to  those  which  present  themselves  in  most  febrile 
diseases,  but  the  distinguishing  symptom  is  localized  generall}^  in 
the  hind  limbs,  and  consists  of  considerable  swelling,  which  com- 
mences in  the  groins,  accompanied  by  extreme  tenderness,  which 
gradually  extends  downwards  to  the  hock  and  fetlock  joints; 
the  swelling  is  produced  by  an  exudation  of  fluid  from  the  lym- 
phatic vessels  and  the  veins;  and  the  anticipated  result  of  admin- 
istering a  remedy  for  this  condition  is  the  taking  up  again  of  the 
fluid  on  the  part  of  the  veins,  that  has  passed  through  their  walls 
already  and  those  of  the  lymphatics;  it  is  perhaps  necessary  to 
explain  here  that  the  walls  of  these  lymphatic  vessels  and  veins 
are  so  constructed  that  under  excessive  pressure,  brought  on 
under  certain  inflammatory  conditions,  the  fluids  contained  are 
able  to  pass  out  on  a  modifled  principle  of  the  sieve,  and  where 
the  fluid  has  passed  out,  it  can  of  course  pass  in,  provided  the 
necessary  attraction  is  present  to  draw  it  in  again;  this  attraction 
is  just  the  power  that  is  wanting  so  long  as  the  inflammation 
exists;  let  that  be  allayed,  and  the  conditions  are  altered,  the 
vessels  are  then  capable  of  retaking  up  the  fluid  and  passing  it  on 
to  its  proper  destination  and  the  swelling  subsides;  but  when  the 
necessary'  remedy  which  is  required  to  allay  the  inflammation  is 
not  administered,  and  the  vessels  are  not  reduced  to  the  condition 
which  enables  them  to  reabsorb  the  exuded  fluid,  something  has 
to  be  done  with  this  fluid,  and  nature  has  ordained  that  if  not 
removed  it  must  be  turned  into  something  solid,  and  so  a  tissue  is 
formed  which,  if  examined  under  the  microscope,  is  found  to  con- 
sist of  the  most  minute  fibres  worked  up  into  very  beautiful  mesh- 


90  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

like  forms;  but  like  many  other  beautiful  things  to  look  at,  it  is 
uot  only  useless  but  harmful;  hence  the  object  of  treatment  in 
this  disease  is  to  allay  the  inflammation,  prevent  the  exudation  of 
the  fluid  as  much  as  possible,  and  to  ensure  that  such  as  has 
already  exuded  shall  be  taken  up  afresh  and  not  allowed  to 
remain  to  become  formed  material,  as  one  peculiarity  of  this  dis- 
ease is,  that  once  established  it  is  very  difficult  to  get  rid  of;  it 
will  continually  recur  on  the  slightest  aggravation  and  each  time 
the  consequences  and  results  are  apparent  by  the  continual  thick- 
ening of  the  leg  and  the  general  enlargement  of  the  limb;  this 
becomes  most  unsightly,  interferes  with  the  horse's  action  and 
produces  a  chronic  state  of  lameness. 

The  constitutional  symptoms,  as  the  same  are  indicated  by  rise 
in  temperature,  hurried  pulse  and  respirations  generally  present 
themselves  at  the  same  time  as  the  swelling  of  the  hind  limb;  the 
appetite  is  usually  very  poor,  but  the  desire  for  liquids  is  pro- 
nounced; the  horse  will  not  infrequently  point  with  his  muzzle  to 
the  affected  parts  as  though  he  would  direct  attention  to  the  seat 
of  pain. 

Treatment. — Aconite,  jx. — As  soon  as  the  febrile  condition 
declares  itself  the  remedy  should  be  resorted  to  every  two  or  three 
hours,  but  cannot  be  expected  to  do  more  than  reduce  the  tem- 
perature and  so  prevent  the  aggravation  of  the  inflammatory 
condition;  the  digestive  organs  must  be  influenced  by  more  direct 
remedial  measures. 

Belladonna,  jx,  may  occasionally  prove  more  useful  in  the 
earlier  stages  than  Aconite  when  the  skin  over  the  swollen  parts  of 
the  legs  is  very  tense,  bright  red  and  shining. 

Hanianielis  (■>. — In  cases  where  the  swelling  is  so  intense  that 
the  fluid  exudes  through  the  skin  and  is  accompanied  by  some 
blood;  bearing  in  mind  the  close  relation,  anatomically,  of  veins 
and  lymph  vessels,  it  is  probable  that  this  drug  might  prove 
eminently  successful  in  a  large  number  of  cases. 

/Ca/i  Inc/iromician,  JX,  strongly  recommended  by  the  late  Mr. 
James  Moore,  M.  R.  Col.,  of  London,  both  internally  and  locally 
as  a  lotion;  we  have  used  this  remedy  in  a  large  number  of  cases, 
only,  however,  to  be  disappointed;  nevertheless  we  feel  that  after 
the  experience  of  so  practical  a  man  as  the  late  Mr.  Moore,  a 


LYMPHANGITIS.  9 1 

remedy  recommended  by  him  should  not  be  left  out  of  a  work  of 
this  sort. 

lodium,  2X. — We  have  found  considerable  advantage  accrue 
from  the  use  of  this  remedy,  and  were  indebted  for  the  suggestion 
that  prompted  us  to  give  it  a  trial  to  Dr.  Richard  Hughes'  PJiarm- 
acodynamics;  in  the  article  upon  this  drug,  Dr.  Hughes  quotes 
from  an  observation  of  Dr.  Herbert  Nankivell,  "that  Iodine 
enables  fatty  food  to  be  digested  which  otherwise  could  not  be 
given;"  Dr.  Hughes  also  directs  attention  to  the  specificity  of  this 
agent  in  its  capabilit}-  to  influence  the  coats  of  blood  vessels  at 
certain  points,  as  was  proved  by  Dr.  Thin  at  a  post  mortem;  upon 
these  grounds  we  were  induced  to  experimentize,  and  the  result 
was  eminently  satisfactory. 

Undoubtedl}^  lymphangitis  is  a  rather  refractory  disease  and 
is  very  liable  to  recur,  moreover  its  treatment  has  caused  us  very 
considerable  anxiety  and  no  little  annoyance  by  reason  of  the 
persistence  with  which  it  resisted  our  various  attempts  at  cure. 

lyocal  applications  are  desirable  and  very  helpful  if  only  to 
alleviate  immediate  pain;  our  plan  to  invoke  the  aid  of  moist  heat 
to  allay  the  inflammatory  swelling  has  been  followed  with  marked 
success  in  some  cases,  while  in  others  it  was  not  so  self-evident; 
we,  however,  account  for  some  failures  on  the  ground  of  inefficient 
application,  and  to  the  fact  that  some  horses  are  so  persistently 
fidgety  that  the}'  will  continually  renew  their  efforts  to  shake  off 
the  application;  our  plan  has  been  the  common  one  of  binding  the 
leg  from  bottom  to  top  with  a  soft  hay  bandage,  and  thereafter 
frequently  applying  water,  as  hot  as  can  be  borne  by  the  naked 
hand;  after  this  has  been  continued  for  some  hours,  the  hay 
bandage  should  be  taken  off,  the  leg  rubbed  dry  and  a  broad 
flannel  bandage  lightly  applied  as  high  up  the  leg  as  possible,  and 
if  the  swelling  is  not  reduced  the  hot  fomentations  must  be  re- 
peated as  before. 

With  respect  to  diet,  the  horse  should  have  light  digestible  food 
including  the  artificial  grasses  and  linseed  boiled  to  jelly.  Alco- 
holic stimulants  should  be  avoided.  If  the  swelling  of  the  leg 
does  not  yield  to  treatment,  then  when  administering  Iodine  inter- 
nally an  ointment  of  the  same  may  be  applied  locally  with  gentle 
friction  once  a  day.  Exercise  must  be  postponed  until  the  swell- 
ing and  tenderness  are  reduced. 


92  VETERNARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

PURPURA  H.EMORRHAGICA. 

This  may  well  be  taken  to  succeed  the  chapter  on  weed  as  there 
are  some  points  of  similarit}^  while  as  yet  the  distinctive  features 
are  marked.  Among  horses  this  disease  frequently  succeeds  im- 
mediately upon  convalescence  from  some  exhaustive  and  lowering 
diseased  conditions  such  as  are  observed  in  influenza;  at  the  same 
time  we  have  known  many  cases  which,  so  far  as  we  could  tell, 
developed  quite  independently  of  any  previous  illness;  whether  the 
blood  alone  or  the  bloodvessels  of  themselves  are  responsible  for 
the  condition  known  as  "  purpura,"  we  are  not  prepared  to  posi- 
tively affirm;  one  opinion,  however,  is  that  a  disorded  state  of  the 
blood  and  a  want  of  tone  in  the  vessels  accounts  for  the  symp- 
toms peculiar  to  this  disease;  one  of  the  earliest  indications  is  the 
swelling  of  the  head,  particularly  about  the  nostrils  and  lips,  but 
extending  more  or  less  all  over;  large  swellings  witli  distinctly 
sharp  margins  arise  on  the  abdomen  and  chest,  and  about  the 
upper  portions  of  the  legs,  fore  and  hind;  these  swellings  are 
neither  particularly  hot  nor  tender,  but  upon  their  surface  a  large 
number  of  small  spots  (or  vesicles)  appear,  which  contain  a  red- 
dish-colored fluid;  these  little  vesicles  soon  burst  and  the  fluid 
oozes  out,  the  swellings  are  considered  to  be  due  to  an  escape  of 
the  blood  from  the  bloodvessels  into  the  tissues  through  which 
they  take  their  course;  either  muscle  or  so-called  connective  tissue, 
chiefly  among  the  latter;  and,  inasmuch  as  the  blood  has  got  out 
of  its  proper  channel  in  the  parts  where  these  swellings  are  found, 
its  natural  tendency  is  to  escape  somewhere,  hence  the  regular 
oozing  of  the  red  fluid  over  the  surface  of  the  large  swellings. 
In  addition,  blood  spots  will  be  observedon  the  mucous  membrane 
lining  the  nose;  these  which  at  first  merely  look  like  star-shaped 
spots  of  a  very  bright  red  color,  also  discharge  the  red  fluid,  and 
the  spots  have  a  distinct  tendency  to  run  together  and  form  large 
ones;  after  the  oozing  has  been  going  on  for  a  few  hours  the  color 
of  the  fluid  graduall)^  assumes  a  much  darker  hue  and  dries  and 
cakes  over;  this,  however,  is  due  to  the  drying  influence  of  the 
atmosphere  and  not  to  the  properties  of  the  blood  which  seems  so 
changed  and  altered  in  its  constitution  as  to  have  lost  its  normal 
tendency  to  form  a  clot,  the  fact  being  that  as  it  becomes  blacker 
in  color  it  is  less  likely  to  congeal  and  rather  keeps  up  a  constant 


PURPURA    H^^iMORRHAGICA.  93 

trickling  from  the  nostrils  and  the  swellings  about  the  body.  As 
an  evidence  that  purpura  is  a  constitutional  disorder  it  may  be 
mentioned  that  the  temperature,  pulse  and  respiration  certainly 
undergo  a  change  from  the  normal,  though  not  to  such  a  marked 
extent  as  is  observed  in  many  diseases  of  a  more  pronounced 
febrile  type.  The  thermometer  will,  perhaps  register  102  or  103 
degrees;  the  pulse  beats  number  60  to  65  and  the  respirations  25 
to  30.  The  appetite  is  almost  invariably  considerably  impaired 
and  the  powers  of  digestion  very  weak,  while  constipation  is  fre- 
quently .  observed . 

It  is  a  notable  and  rather  remarkable  fact  that  this  disease  is 
apt  to  recur  after  apparent  convalescence,  a  condition  of  things 
more  frequently  observed  in  purpura  than  any  other  disease  we 
know  of;  this  may  perhaps  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  the 
blood  having  undergone  such  evident  change  in  constitution  takes 
longer  to  recover  its  normal  condition  than  practitioners  have  been 
disposed  to  allow,  also  that  there  has  been  a  want  of  a  suitable 
remedy  and  that  hence  while  nature  had  been  struggling  to  gain 
the  ascendency  she  has  been  blanked  in  the  effort  by  reason  of 
unsanitary  surroundings  and  the  lack  of  that  assistance  which 
can  only  be  secured  through  the  aid  of  some  remedies  only 
recognized  by  avowed  and  conscientious  homoeopathists.  If 
the  disease  is  not  arrested  and  does  not  progress  to  its  final 
termination,  the  skin  over  the  large  swellings  on  the  body  becomes 
cold  and  hard  and  ultimately  drops -off  in  dead- looking  shreds, 
sometimes  exposing  a  raw,  unhealthy-looking  patch;  the  sheath  of 
the  penis  is  usually  swollen  to  an  enormous  size,  the  urine  is  high 
colored  and  smells  very  offensively,  and  the  breathing  is  difficult, 
of  a  muffling  character  and  is  sometimes  so  oppressed  that  the 
horse  seems  as  though  he  would  choke;  the  difficulty  in  breathino- 
is  produced  by  the  swollen  condition  of  the  membrane  lining  the 
nose  and  air  passages,  the  fact  being  that  the  internal  organs  are 
affected  in  a  manner  quite  similar  to  the  external  portions  of  the 
body;  should  this  condition  of  affairs  continue  to  get  worse  and 
the  horse  give  evidence  of  suffocation,  the  only  method  of  relief 
for  the  time  being  is  to  perform  the  operation  of  tracheotomy 
which  consists  in  making  an  opening  into  the  windpipe  and  insert- 
ing a  tube  made  for  the  purpose;  this  of  necessity  demands  the 
aid  of  a  qualified  surgeon. 


94  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Treatment. — HamamcHs  ix  is  indicated  when  the  hemorrhage 
is  of  a  passive  character,  that  is  to  say,  where  the  blood  drips  away 
slowly  and  continuously,  and  especially  if  the  veins  are  noticed 
to  be  distended,  as  though  very  full,  and  the  nasal  membrane  has 
a  blue  (not  black)  appearance,  and  further  when  the  bleeding 
is  observ^ed  at  the  anus  during  or  after  stool. 

Lachesis  12  is  more  often  than  any  other  the  remedy  that 
has  to  be  resorted  to  in  purpura,  probabl}'  because  the  disease  has 
generally  advanced  to  the  stage  at  which  it  is  best  fitted  to  cure, 
by  reason  of  delay  or  lo.ss  of  time  in  recognizing  what  was  the 
matter  in  the  first  instance.  Constant  oozing  of  black  blood  that 
will  not  coagulate  is  one  of  the  chief  indications  for  Lachesis;  copious 
flow  of  dark-colored  urine;  constipation. 

Phosphorus  J. V. — Where  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  in- 
ternal organs,  particularly  the  liver,  are  affected;  this  may  be 
judged  by  the  general  yellow  color  of  the  skin  and  mucous  mem- 
branes, namely  those  of  the  eyes,  that  are  not  affected  with  the 
blood  spots,  and  the  oozing  of  blood. 

lodium  IX. — By  a  singular  coincidence,  the  use  of  Iodine  has 
quite  recently  been  introduced  into  allopathic  practice,  for  cases  of 
purpura,  and  for  the  time  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  most  recent 
novelties;  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  introduction  of  this 
remedy  among  the  British  Veterinarians  we  are  not  aware,  unless 
it  be  to  Mr.  I.  A.  W.  Dollar,  of  New  Bond  St.,  London.  We 
have  ourselves  proved  the  value  of  this  agent  in  such  cases,  and 
although  it  does  not  strike  one  at  the  outset  as  being  a  remedy  for 
the  disease,  our  attention  was  drawn  to  it  some  years  ago,  when 
reading  Dr.  Hughes'  article  on  Iodine  in  his  Pharmacodynamics, 
wherein  it  is  stated:  "It  can  hardly  be  imagined  that  so  univer- 
' '  sal  an  irritant  of  the  living  matter  should  circulate  in  the  blood 
"  without  affecting  its  corpuscles.  But  whether  this  be  the 
' '  rationale  or  not ,  it  is  certain  that  Iodide  of  Potassium  every  now  and 
* '  then  causes  petechia  and  purpura  and  that  under  the  long  con- 
' '  tinued  influence  of  Iodine  the  blood  and  the  secretions  become 
"  thin  and  watery."  The  first  case  that  we  submitted  to  Iodine 
treatment  had  been  for  some  days  previous  taking  Sulphuric 
««■</ and  that  without  any  apparent  advantage;  in  thinking  over  the 
case  we  happened  to  recall  to  memory  the  remarks  of  Dr.  Hughes 
just  quoted  and  immediately  commenced  to  administer  Iodi?ie  ix 


DISEASES  OF  PARTS  AND  ORGANS  IN  RESPIRATORY  TRACT.    95 

Avith  the  most  satisfactory  results.  We  have  reason  to  believe 
that  in  allopathic  practice,  administered  in  substantial  doses  of  a 
preparation  consisting  of  one  part  lodme,  two  parts  of  Iodide  of 
Potassium  and  loo  parts  of  vs^ater,  injected  into  the  trachea  (wind- 
pipe) very  satisfactory  results  have  followed;  but  this  fact  does  not 
deprive  the  agent  of  its  homoeopathicity  in  purpose;  it  is  merely  a 
further  illustration  of  a  statement  we  once  heard  to  the  effect  that 
when  allopathists  manage  to  effect  a  cure  it  is  always  on  homoeo- 
pathic principles,  an  opinion  with  which  w^e  fully  concur. 

So  soon  as  the  animal  can  be  induced  to  partake  of  nourishing 
food  the  better  for  its  prospects  of  complete  convalescence;  mean- 
while, the  usual  careful  nursing  and  building  up  with  easily 
■digestible  food  must  be  assiduously  resorted  to. 

DISEASES  OF  PARTS  AND  ORGANS  INCLUDED  IN  THE 
RESPIRATORY  TRACT. 

Little  introduction's  called  for  in  approaching  the  consideration 
of  this  class  of  diseases,  which  in  the  horse  produce  some  of  the 
most  serious  conditions  affecting  the  animal's  utility,  that  have  to 
be  combatted  by  medical  treatment;  already  we  have  referred  to 
the  methods  and  importance  of  physical  examination  to  enable 
•one  to  determine,  as  far  as  that  is  possible,  what  particular  parts 
are  the  seat  of  disease  and  to  what  extent  that  disease  has  ad- 
vanced; such  as  tapping  the  chest  over  the  region  enclosed  by  the 
ribs,  technically  described  as  ''percussion,'"  to  determine  th^  con- 
■dition  of  the  lungs;  listening  to  the  sounds  observable  as  the 
processes  of  breathing,  ''inspiration'''  and  "expiration,'"  goon 
or  auscultation,  to  datermine  up  to  a  certain  point  the  condition 
of  tha  lungs,  together  with  that  of  the  fine  membrane  which  lines 
the  outside  of  the  lungs  and  the  inside  of  the  walls  of  the  chest, 
•called  the  pleura;  hence  the  well-known  term  pleurisy. 

Already  these  physical  signs  have  been  touched  upon  so  far  as 
the  same  are  likely  to  prove  useful  to  the  layman;  the  detection 
of  the  finer  and  more  delicate  symptoms  by  these  methods  calls 
for  the  experience  of  one  trained  and  practised  in  the  art,  and 
therefore  we  deem  it  inadvisable  to  take  up  further  space  in  deal- 
ing with  this  special  branch  of  our  subject. 


96  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

COMMON  COIvD. 

While  in  common  cold  a  horse  gives  unmistakable  evidence  of 
feeling  the  effects  in  his  general  constitution  and  all  over  the 
bod}',  it  is  nevertheless  more  distinctly  associated  with  the  respira- 
tory tract  as  the  lining  membrane  of  the  nostrils  is  most  involved. 
In  professional  language  the  terms  coryza  or  catarrh  are  applied 
to  a  common  cold  and  by  these  it  is  intended  to  indicate  that  the 
lining  membrane  of  the  nasal  chambers  is  in  a  highly  inflamma- 
tory condition,  the  result  of  which  is  that  from  this  membrane  a 
watery  fluid  is  discharged,  the  same  condition  being  present  in 
the  e3'es,  accompanied  by  sore  throat  and  consequent  cough. 

In  the  outset  the  nasal  membrane  is  dry  and  very  red,  but  sub- 
sequently the  fluid  discharge  appears  which  at  first  is  acrid  and 
irritating  to  the  parts  over  which  it  flows,  as  the  disease  advances 
the  discharge  become  thick  and  turbid  and  is  bland  so  far  as  its 
effect  upon  surrounding  parts  is  concerned;  in  addition  to  the 
local  symptoms  already  indicated  we  find  the  systemic  symptoms 
include  elevation  of  temperature  to  103  or  104  degrees,  the  horse 
is  very  heavy  and  dull,  has  a  staring  coat,  and  distinct  shivering 
may  be  observed;  the  pulse  may  run  up  to  84  or  ev^en  over  and 
the  respirations  too  frequent. 

The  great  thing  to  be  observed  is  good  nursing  in  conjunction 
with  the  treatment  to  be  indica':ed  with  a  view  to  prevent  exten- 
sion to  the  lungs  or  throat. 

Aconite  3X. — As  a  rule  when  taken  in  time  nothing  more  is 
wanted  than  the  regular  administration  of  this  drug  every  four 
hours;  but  too  frequenth^  the  time  has  gone  by  for  Aconite  before 
any  treatment  is  attempted. 

Amnioniiini  carb.  ix. — When  the  nose  is  stuffed  up  and  the  horse 
has  to  breath  through  his  mouth,  which  it  is  most  difficult  for 
him  to  effect  in  consequence  of  the  veil  to  the  palate  already 
mentioned  as  existing;  it  is  especially  useful  when  an  irritating 
cough  caused  by  mucus  in  the  bronchial  tubes  is  present;  this 
may  hz  best  tested  by  listening  at  the  front  of  the  chest  and  if  in 
the  windpipe  a  rattling  noise  is  heard,  it  is  fair  to  assume  that  an 
undue  quantity  of  mucus  is  present. 

Animonijini  niuriaticuDi  ix. — -In  other  words  sal  volatile:  this 
remedy  exerts  great  influence  over  catarrh  when,  as  Dr.  Hughes 


NASAL    GLEET.  97 

states,  it  "  is  accompanied  with  chilliness,  lassitude,  sluggishness 
and  prostration;  loss  of  appetite;  and  profuse  sweating  and  urina- 
tion. ' ' 

Arsenicum  album  3X  or  A rseniann  iodide  T^yi. — Both  these  reme- 
dies are  useful  when  the  discharge  from  the  nose  and  eyes  is  thin, 
watery  and  burning,  accompanied  by  rawness  of  the  throat  and  a 
cough  arising  therefrom;  one  of  the  best  indications  for  the  use 
•of  either  of  these  remedies,  more  especiall}^  the  former,  is  a  con- 
stant desire  to  drink,  but  only  a  little  at  a  time;  this  symptom 
may  be  taken  as  a  leading  indication  for  these  two  remedies. 

Belladonna  3X. — When  the  lining  membrane  of  the  ej-es  is  very 
much  swollen  and  injected  with  streaks  of  red;  when  light  ap- 
pears to  cause  discomfort;  when  the  throat  is  so  sore  that  there  is 
a  difficulty  in  swallowing. 

Nux  vomica  3X. — Very  frequently  an  excellent  remedy  for  cold 
in  the  head,  especially  when  the  nostrils  are  stopped  up  and  the 
bowels  are  constipated. 

As  accessories  to  the  above  it  is  frequently  useful  to  cause  the 
horse  to  inhale  hot  steam,  medicated  with  Aconite  or  plain  vine- 
gar; fill  a  nose  bag  with  hay  chaff,  put  it  on  to  the  horse's  head; 
introduce  a  few"  drops  of  Aconite  t*  or  a  quarter  pint  of  vinegar; 
then  pour  two  quarts  of  boiling  water  on  the  chaff  and  allow  the 
animal  to  inhale  the  steam  for  five  or  ten  minutes;  this  may  be 
repeated  three  times  a  day. 

Food  should  consist  of  warm  mashes,  linseed  gruel  and  barley 
water  ad  libitum. 

NASAIv  GLEET. 

This  term  is  applied  to  a  chronic  catarrh  of  the  nose,  which  as 
a  rule,  in  consequence  of  neglect  or  bad  management  has  taken  on 
a  purulent  form;  in  the  horse  nasal  gleet  assumes  a  more  serious 
aspect  by  reason  of  the  large  cavities  or  sinuses,  as  they  are  called, 
w^hich  occupy  and  help  to  form  the  face  of  this  animal;  into  these 
cavities  there  are  small  openings  about  the  size  of  a  quill  pen, 
which  connect  the  nostrils  therewith;  the  membrane  which  lines 
the  nostrils  is  continued  through  these  small  openings  and  again 
expands  over  the  inner  surface  of  the  cavities,  so  that  a  diseased 
condition  of  the  nostrils  easily  extends  to  the  inside  of  these  cavi- 
ties; and  if  the  catarrh  of  the  nostrils  is  not  cured,  but  becomes 

7 


98  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

chronic,  it  may  and  does  extend  to  the  inside  of  these  sinuses,  and 
the  matter  which  is  formed  therein,  finding  no  ready  point  of 
escape  becomes  accumulated,  and  assumes  a  fetid  character  as  is 
often  observable  in  old  standing  cases  of  nasal  gleet;  in  addition 
to  the  membrane  of  these  cavities  the  bones  of  the  face  and  the 
teeth  frequently  become  affected,  when  the  smell  is  simply  un- 
bearable. 

There  is  one  disease  with  which  nasal  gleet  may  be  confounded, 
namely,  glanders;  and  this  mistake  it  is  most  important  to  avoid; 
now,  however,  that  the  simple  test  for  glanders  is  available,  no 
such  error  in  the  future  need  creep  in. 

Symptoms. — As  a  rule  only  one  nostril  is  affected  at  a 
time  and  from  this,  mucus  will  be  discharged;  the  character  of 
the  mucus  depends  chiefly  upon  the  length  of  time  {hat  the  horse 
has  been  the  subject  of  the  disea.se;  and  whereas  nasal  gleet  is 
usually  the  sequel  of  what  in  the  first  instance  may  be  described 
as  a  connnon  cold  accompanied  with  a  profuse  running  at  the  nose 
we  shall  commence  with  a  description  of  the  discharge  at  that 
period  when  it  has  assumed  the  consistence  of  starch;  if  not 
arrested,  it  proceeds  from  bad  to  worse,  'until  the  mucus  becomes 
inspissated  or  clotty,  is  mixed  with  blood  and  ultimately  assumes 
the  characteristics  of  pus  (or  matter);  if  this  stage  is  attained  the 
membrane  lining  the  bony  cavities  is  penetrated,  and  the  bones, 
themselves  are  attacked;  this  of  course  is  the  most  serious  condi- 
tion and  may  certainly  be  averted  if  proper  treatment  and  care  be 
adopted;  the  discharge,  under  any  of  these  conditions,  is  not  con- 
stant but  comes  on  periodically,  some  hours  occasionally  interven- 
ing; but  an  outpouring  of  mucus  may  be  set  up  at  almost  au}^ 
time  by  submitting  the  animal  to  a  little  gentle  exercise,  after 
which  it  will  give  a  good  blow,  and  for  the  time  the  nasal  passage 
will  be  comparatively  clear,  after  the  horse,  with  its  head  in  a 
dependent  position  has  relieved  itself  of  a  profuse  quantity  of 
glairy  mucus,  which  comes  away  in  clots  or  plugs. 

To  test  the  presence  or  otherwise  of  mucus  in  the  sinuses  of  the 
face,  tap  the  bony  prominences  of  the  face  on  the  affected  side, 
from  the  eye  downwards,  and  if  the  sound  is  dull  and  wanting  in 
resonance  it  may  be  taken  for  granted  that  the  cavities  are  aft'ected 
and  that  they  are  occupied  by  an  accumulation  of  mucus. 

The  glands  situate  between  the  jawbones  may  or   may  not  be 


NASAL   GLEET.  99 

enlarged,  swollen  or  hard  and  indurated,  generally,  however,  one 
or  other  is  the  case. 

The  temperature  of  the  body  is  no  certain  indication,  but  as  a 
rule  the  horse  looks  unthrifty  in  the  coat,  soon  tires  at  work  and 
gives  general  evidence  of  impaired  health.  If  the  disease  is  al- 
lowed to  develop  and  the  sinuses  (or  cavities)  of  the  face  become 
blocked  up  with  mucus  or  pus  (matter)  the  shape  of  the  face  on 
the  affected  side  is  altered,  inasmuch  as  the  bones  bulge  out.  The 
majority  of  veterinar}'  practitioners  considers  that  there  is  nothing 
for  it  but  the  operation  of  trephining  when  the  cavities  of  the  face 
are  affected,  as  it  is  maintained  that  an  accumulation  of  mucus 
or  pus  must  of  necessity  be  removed  and  the  cavities  cleansed 
before  an}^  hope  of  cure  can  be  held  out;  by  trephining  is  to  be 
understood,  a  surgical  operation  involving  the  removal  of  a  por- 
tion of  bone  over  one  of  the  cavities  of  the  face  sufficiently  large 
to  allow  for  the  removal  of  the  mucous  or  purulent  contents;  this 
is  by  no  means  a  serious  operation,  but  it  calls  for  the  experienced 
surgeon  to  perform  it;  although  homoeopathic  treatment  suffices 
to  effect  cures  of  the  worst  cases  without  resorting  to  trephining, 
the  operation  in  very  extreme  cases,  \vhere  the  collection  in 
the  cavities  is  purulent  and  the  bones  are  also  affected, 
will  facilitate  and  hasten  the  cure,  as  the  diseased  parts  can  be 
flushed  with  a  lotion  of  the  remedy  that  is  specific  to  the  morbid 
condition  after  the  contents  are  evacuated,  thus  obviating  the  pos- 
sibility of  reinfection  which  the  parts  would  be  liable  to,  if  the 
process  of  absorption  under  the  dN-namic  influence  of  the  drug 
had  to  be  carried  on  in  the  absence  of  an  operation ;  but  the  great 
secret  after  all  is  by  prompt  internal  administration  of  the  .specific 
drug  to  prevent  the  diseased  process  arriving  at  such  an  advanced 
stage  as  we  have  indicated,  and  this  can  be  dofie. 

Treatment. — The  first  reraed}'  is  Hydrastis  6,  and  its  admin- 
istration must  be  effected  topically  as  "^vell  as  internally;  if  the 
horse  will  put  up  with  it,  a  lotion  of  Hydrastis  0,  i  to  5  of  water, 
must  be  injected  with  some  force  up  the  affected  nostril;  an 
ordinary  four-ounce  metal  syringe,  with  a  wooden  nozzle  about 
eight  inches  long  adjusted  thereto,  is  the  best  instrument  for  the 
purpose;  the  head  of  the  nozzle  should  be  nicely  rounded  off  to 
prevent  injuring  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  nose;  after  care- 
fully testing  the  .soundness  of  the  joints  of  the  syringe,  fill  same 


lOO  VETKRINARV    HOMCEOPATHY. 

and  carefully  introduce  the  wooden  nozzle  as  far  up  the  nostril  as 
it  will  go,  then  forcibly  eject  the  contents;  if  some  portion  of  the 
contents  passes  down  the  other  nostril  or  escapes  into  the  throat 
and  is  swallowed,  it  may  safely  be  conjectured  that  the  walls  of 
the  nostril  and  the  posterior  parts  of  the  nose  are  thoroughly 
bathed  with  the  lotion;  this  should  be  repeated  twice  daily.  Pro- 
vided the  horse  objects  to  this  form  of  topical  application  and 
resents  further  efforts  to  realize  it,  inhalation  must  be  resorted  to; 
a  nose-bag  half  full  of  finely  cut  hay  chaff  must  be  attached  to 
the  horse's  head,  upon  this  chaff  pour  sufficient  boiling  water  to 
saturate  the  quantity  contained  in  the  bag,  immediately  thereafter 
sprinkle  about  one  ounce  of  the  Hydrastis  0,  and  quickly  throw 
over  the  animal's  head  a  thick  horse  rug,  with  a  view  to  retain 
the  steam  about  the  nostril  and  so  enforce  the  inhalation  of  the 
medicated  steam;  in  bad  cases  this  should  be  repeated  three  times 
a  day  until  the  discharge  is  less,  which  is  generally  observable  in 
two  days;  though  the  application  may  be  daily  less  frequent,  it 
will  have  to  be  continued  once  a  day,  probably  for  three  weeks  or 
a  month;  at  the  same  time  ten  drops  of  Hydrastis  &,  in  a  wine- 
glass of  water,  should  be  given  internally  three  times  a  day  and 
continued  for  a  fortnight  before  reducing  the  number  of  doses  per 
diem. 

Ka/i  bichromicuTn,  3X,  being  a  remedy  speciall}^  effective  in 
diseases  of  a  chronic  character  is  certainly  indicated  in  some  forms 
of  nasal  gleet;  and  the  main  symptoms  are  as  follows:  When  upon 
the  nasal  membrane  there  are  any  ulcers  (at  the  same  time  always 
beware  of  glanders  and  test  with  mallein);  when  the  horse  is  off 
his  feed  and  the  tongue  is  covered  with  a  yellow  fur  which  on 
removal  leaves  a  red  surface;  when  the  discharge  from  the  nostril 
comes  away  in  long  tough  strings. 

Aurum  viuriaticmn,  3X,  when  the  bones  of  the  face  are  dis- 
eased which  is  unmistakably  recognized  by  the  horribly  fetid 
smell  emanating  from  the  nostril;  there  will  also  be  a  probable 
swelling  and  tenderness  of  these  bones,  and  the  production  of 
saliva  in  great  excess  will  be  observable. 

The  before-mentioned  treatment  requires  to  be  supplemented  by 
careful  nursing  and  good  liberal  diet  on  easily  digestible  nourish- 
ing food;  the  animal  should  certainly  be  laid  aside  from  work  and 
allowed  to  occupy  a  healthy,  airy,  loose  box. 


LARYNGITIS.  lOI 

LARYNGITIS. 

This  term  is  intended  to  convey  the  idea  that  the  mucous  mem- 
"brane  and  soft  structures  of  that  complex  organ  situate  at  the 
top  of  the  trachea  (or  windpipe)  are  inflamed;  through  the 
mechanism  of  the  larynx  the  pitch  or  tone  of  the  voice  is  mainly 
regulated,  and  though  among  the  lower  orders  of  animal  creation 
this  function  is  not  turned  to  much  account,  it  is  an  organ  which 
in  the  horse  demands  careful  and  thoughtful  consideration  because 
of  the  important  part  it  plaj's  in  the  performance  of  the  various 
acts  involved  in  respiration  and  the  serious  consequence  affecting 
the  pecuniary  value  and  general  utility  of  an  animal  whose 
larynx  is  structurally  defective. 

We  shall  consider  first  that  condition  known  as  inflammation  of 
the  larynx  (laryngitis )  because  it  usually  precedes  in  greater  or 
less  degree  inflammation  of  other  parts  of  the  respiratory  tract, 
and  that  alteration  in  structure  of  the  organ  which  is  the  cause  of 
a  horse  making  the  noise  known  as  "Roaring;''  and  then  before 
proceeding  to  the  consideration  of  affections  of  other  parts  of  the 
respiratory  tract,  roaring  will  be  dealt  with  from  a  homoeopathic 
standpoint. 

Laryngitis  is  generally  accompanied  hy  a  more  or  less  extensive 
inflammation  of  the  surrounding  parts  and  is  marked  by  a  hard, 
dry,  rasping  cough  which  suggests  that  the  calibre  of  the  organ  is 
reduced  in  size  or  that  its  shape  is  material!}^  altered,  and  herein 
is  the  danger  which  attends  its  development,  lest  the  opening 
through  the  larynx  should  become  blocked  up,  interfering  with 
the  function  of  respiration  and  so  producing  suffocation. 

The  cough  usually  appears  to  cause  inconvenience  and  some 
pain,  and  comes  on  in  paroxysms;  the  throat  generally  is  swollen, 
extending  sometimes  to  the  glands  between  the  jaws  and  those 
situate  at  the  back  of  the  jawbone  from  the  ear  downwards, 
known  as  the  parotid  glands;  the  horse  almost  invariably  stands 
with  its  head  straight  out,  the  nose  elevated,  and  if  the  upper 
part  of  the  box  door  happens  to  be  open  the  animal  will  be  found 
with  its  chin  resting  on  the  lower  half  of  that  which  is  closed; 
great  difficulty  is  experienced  in  swallowing  either  solid  or  liquid 
nutriment;  the  temperature  is  exalted;  the  pulse  full  and  hard 
and  the  respiration  decidedly  urgent.     A  favorable  termination 


I02  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

may  be  anticipated  when  the  hard,  dry  cough  is  changed  to  one 
less  resonant  and  softer  in  character,  and  when  the  hitherto  dry 
nasal  membrane  becomes  moist  and  a  thin  fluid  discharge  runs 
down  the  nostrils.  The  rapidity  with  which  this  disease  pro- 
gresses renders  it  absolutely  imperative  that  the  most  prompt 
steps  should  be  taken  for  its  alleviation,  and  no  stone  left  un- 
turned to  modify  the  severity  of  the  symptoms. 

Treatment. — Much  depends  in  selecting  the  first  remedy  as 
to  the  condition  o(  the  patient  at  the  time;  in  cases  where  the  in- 
flammatory staga  is  observed  early,  is  the  result  of  exposure  to 
cold  and  accompanied  by  very  decided  febrile  symptoms,  such  as 
a  difficulty  of  breathing  (though  the  noise  made  during  respira- 
tion is  not  markedly  harsh  and  rasping),  hot  mouth  high  temper- 
ature, hard,  frequent  pulse,  scanty,  high-colored  urine  Acoiiite 
3X  should  be  administered  in  half-hour  doses;  but  in  those 
where  the  breathing  is  not  only  difficult  but  somewhat  slow, 
urgent  and  attended  with  a  decidedly  dry,  rasping  sound,  and  the 
cough  resembles  the  passage  of  a  saw  through  a  hard  piece  of 
wood  Sp07igia  3X  trituration,  a  dose  every  hour,  is  almost  cer- 
tain to  afford  relief;  as  a  horse  at  such  a  stage  of  the  disease  gen- 
erally experiences  great  difficulty  in  swallowing  fluids,  the  tritu- 
ration is  preferable  to  the  tincture,  as  it  can  be  quietly  placed  on 
the  tongue  where  it  will  gradually  dissolve  under  the  influence  of 
the  saliva  and  be  swallowed  slowly  and  gradually  as  the  horse 
feels  able  without  any  risk  of  choking;  as  soon  as  any  relief  in 
the  urgency  of  the  breathing  and  cough  is  observ^able,  the  inter- 
vals between  the  doses  may  safely  be  extended.  In  cases  where 
the  throat  is  very  much  swollen  and  the  glands  are  extremely 
painful;  the  cough  rather  inclining  to  be  soft;  swallowing  so  diffi- 
cult that  fluids  return  through  the  nostrils;  a  great  deal  of  saliva 
is  formed  and  drops  out  of  the  mouth  Belladonna  3X  should  be 
given  in  alternation  with  Merciirius  sohibilis  5;  namely,  com- 
mence with  the  usual  dose  of  Belladonna  and  in  one  hour  give  a 
dose  of  the  Mercuriiis  sol.  and  so  on  for  four  hours  after  which 
the  intervals  may  be  gradually  extended  to  two  and  three  hours 
between  the  respective  doses;  lindcr  no  circumstances  must  these 
medicines  be  given  vii.xcd  together  in  one  dose. 

Sanguiyiaria  Cayiadcnsis  0  has  been  highl}'  recommended  in 
cases  which  threaten  suffocation  in  consequence  of  a  swollen  and 


ROARING.  103 

pulpy-looking  condition  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  throat; 
to  discover  this  it  is  necessary  to  open  the  horse's  mouth  suffi- 
ciently wide  to  expose  to  view  the  parts  around  the  root  of  the 
tongue  and  about  the  tonsils;  if  instead  of  looking  red,  as  is 
usually  the  case,  the  membrane  is  pale  and  flaccid,  and  here  and 
there  small  superficial  ulcers  are  observable  with  possibly  shreds 
of  flaky-looking  particles  adhering  to  the  edges,  it  will  be  safe  to 
conclude  that  the  condition  for  which  Sa/ig-uifiar/a  is  useful  has 
to  be  contended  with,  and  this  remedy  should  be  administered. 

Accessory  Measures. — In  such  a  disease  as  laryngitis,  where 
the  administration  of  large  doses  is  almost  an  impossibility  and  is 
certainly  attended  with  considerable  danger  to  the  patient,  it  is  no 
small  advantage  to  have  remedies  prepared  in  a  manner  that  ren- 
ders their  administration  comparatively  easy;  at  the  same  time  it 
is  most  important  that  during  the  acute  stage,  which  may  last 
thirty-six  hours,  the  nursing  and  dieting  should  be  carried  out 
with  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  the  circumstances  affecting  the 
patient;  to  attempt  to  force  the  animal  to  swallow  liquid  nutri- 
ment by  drenching,  as  is  no  uncommon  practice  among  stable- 
men, would  simply  prove  fatal;  if  the  animal  absolutely  declines 
to  take  food  of  any  sort  voluntarily  by  the  mouth,  then  resort 
must  be  had  to  enemas  of  strong  beef  tea  and  milk;  on  the  other 
hand,  no  pains  or  trouble  should  be  spared  to  entice  the  horse  to 
partake  of  such  diet  as  gruel  made  of  nourishing  invalid  foods; 
carrots  cut  up  into  thin  pieces  and  offered  by  hand,  a  bit  at  a 
time;  if  available  small  handfuls  of  artificial  grasses  such  as 
clover,  lucerne  or  sanifoin;  anything,  however,  that  requires 
much  mastication  is  out  of  the  question.  An  outward  application 
in  the  form  of  a  wafer  compress,  consisting  of  four  folds  of  soft 
linen  dipped  in  cold  water,  wrung  out  and  applied  to  the  throat, 
covered  with  a  piece  of  thin  oil  skin  supported  in  position  b\'  a 
nice  piece  of  thick,  but  soft  flannel  will  be  found  more  than  useful 
in  allaying  the  inflammation  and  restoring  tone  to  the  weak  and 
now  extremely  susceptible  larynx. 

ROARING. 

This  is  a  very  important  subject  to  the  horseman  and  the  horse 
breeder,  the  term  roaring  isonl}^  too  often  used  indiscriminately;  in 
point  of  fact,  although  an  essentially  common  and  vulgar  term,  it 


I04  .  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

should  be  made  only  to  apply  to  horses  that  have  an  affection  of  the 
larynx  which  involves  structural  change  of  the  organ  in  which 
one  portion  of  this  complex  instrument — for  such  it  may  reason- 
ably be  styled,  by  reason  of  its  powers  of  local  production — is 
through  loss  of  nervous  energy  rendered  physiologically  useless; 
and  worse  than  that  the  part  so  affected  is  not  only  useless  but 
absolutely  physically  injurious  by  reason  of  the  obstruction  to 
respiration  which  the  structural  change  in  the  larynx  brings 
about;  there  are  other  causes  which  render  it  very  difficult,  if  not 
absolutely  impossible,  for  a  horse  to  breath  either  freely  or  with- 
out making  a  noise  in  the  process,  and  that  without  the  larynx 
being  affected,  hence  the  necessity  for  discrimination;  we  ver)^ 
much  prefer  as  a  general  term  the  phrase  ' '  makes  a  noise  ' '  to  ex- 
press all  the  varied  abnormal  conditions  which  affect  the  respira- 
tor}^ tract,  rather  than  to  speak  of  every  horse  that  makes  a  noise 
as  a.  "  J^oarer,"  whistler,  grunter,  etc.,  leaving  it  to  the  circum- 
stances and  conditions  to  determine  the  seat  and  origin  of  the  de- 
fect, points  most  difficult  of  solution  during  life  but  which  can  as 
a  rule  be  accurately  determined  post  mortem;  this,  however,  is  a 
very  unsatisfactory  state  of  affairs,  as  the  horse  owner  necessarily 
desires  to  discriminate  correctly  during  life  in  the  hope  of  effect- 
ing relief  and  thus  render  the  animal  more  useful.  The  opinion 
held  by  a  large  majority  of  the  veterinary  profession,  and  among 
them  some  of  the  most  experienced  men  of  the  day  is  that  by  far 
the  larger  proportion  of  horses  that  make  a  noise  are  roarers  proper, 
that  is  to  say  structural  change  has  taken  place  in  the  the  larynx 
in  consequence  of  a  wasted  condition  of  certain  muscles  of  the 
organ,  the  said  wasting  being  due  to  want  of  healthy  innervation, 
and  resulting  in  one  division  of  the  larynx  falling  inwards  and  so 
causing  an  obstruction  to  the  passage  of  the  air  into  the  lungs  as 
the  animal  draws  its  breath  inwards,  or,  in  other  words,  effected 
an  inspiration;  in  this  opinion  we  are  not  able  to  concur,  as  we 
fully  believe,  after  a  somewhat  varied  experience,  that  though 
large  numbers  of  horses  are  roarers  proper,  a  still  larger  number 
make  a  noise  from  other  causes. 

It  may  be  as  well  in  passing  to  enumerate  some  of  the  causes  to 
which  the  varied  noises  are  due,  which  are  continually  observed 
by  those  whose  duty  it  is  to  examine  horses  for  soundness  or  who 
have  frequent  opportunities  of  observing  animals  they  have  never 


ROARING.  105 

seen  before;  one  cause  of  somewhat  rare  occurrence  is  a  polypics 
orpolyphoid  tumor  situate  in  the  upper  part  of  the  nasal  passage; 
thickening  of  the  mucous  membrane  which  covers  the  walls  of  the 
nose,  resulting  from  chronic  catarrh  or  cold,  a  condition  which 
materially  lessens  the  calibre  or  size  of  the  nasal  passage,  and 
which  after  exertion  is  apt  to  become  rather  more  swollen  and  so 
still  further  diminish  the  size  of  the  air  passage  and  produce  a 
wheezing  sound  extremely  perplexing  to  a  young  practitioner 
anxious  to  do  his  duty  by  his  client;  he  readily  observes  the  noise, 
but  does  not  consider  it  sufficiently  pronounced  to  indicate  roaring, 
and  in  this  he  is  correct,  but  the  doubt  still  remains  as  to  the 
cause;  a  speculum  might  probably  reveal  something  to  assist  one 
in  arriving  at  a  conclusion,  but  the  facilities  for  applying  this  test 
are  rarely  available;  moreover  as  it  would  involve  casting  the 
horse,  it  is  very  improbable  the  seller  would  permit  such  a  course 
to  be  adopted;  hence  all  that  can  be  said  is  the  horse  makes  a 
noise!  Horses  with  short,  thick  necks,  having  Vao.  parotid  glands 
very  fully  developed  will  not  infrequently  make  a  noise  as  bad  as 
the  worst  roarer  during  a  test  gallop,  while  all  the  time  there  is 
no  defect  in  the  larynx;  we  consider  this  to  be  due  to  the  turgid 
and  swollen  condition  of  the  parotid  glands,  as  the  result  of  the 
quickened  circulation,  the  glands  pressing  upon  the  opening  of 
the  larynx  through  the  position  of  the  horse's  head,  his  nose 
being  drawn  into  his  chest  while  hard  held,  and  the  size  of  the 
respiratory  passage  materially  constricted;  such  an  animal  without 
a  beajing  rein,  would  do  ordinary  work  in  harness  at  a  fair  trot 
and  give  no  evidence  of  making  a  noise;  this  sort  of  exercise 
would  not  excite  the  circulation  sufficiently  to  cause  any  disturb- 
ance. We  nsxt  come  to  the  larynx  itself  for  diseased  conditions 
other  than  the  chief  and  most  acute  one  already  referred  to  in- 
volving an  alteration  in  the  shape  of  the  organ  by  reason  of  struc- 
tural defects;  these  are  mainly  due  to  inflammation,  such  as  oc- 
curs in  laryngitis,  already  dealt  with  in  the  previous  chapter;  this 
form  of  inflammation  affects  the  other  tissues  which  go  to  form 
the  vocal  organ,  such  as  cartilage  the  component  parts  or  some  of 
them  being  united  as  the  result  of  inflammation  and  thus  altering 
entirely  the  shape  of  the  larynx  or  the  connectiv^e  tissue  which 
serves  to  keep  the  various  cartilaginous  parts  in  position   which 


I06  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

during  the  inflammatory  action  has  become  thickened  and  has  not 
had  time  to  become  resolved  into  its  normal  healthy  condition. 

Further,  the  wind  pipe  or  trachea  may  from  various  causes,  pro- 
duce an  unnatural  sound  in  breathing  in  consequence  of  an  altera- 
tion of  shape  due  either  to  injury  or  inflammation  of  the  lining 
membrane;  probably  one  of  the  most  frequent  causes  of  difl&cult 
respiration  and  making  a  noise  is  that  which  arises  from  disease 
of  the  air  tubes  in  the  lungs  and  the  substance  of  the  lung  tissue 
which  surrounds  these  tubes;  among  thoroughbred  horses  the 
disease  known  as  ' '  Newmarket  fever, ' '  to  the  consideration  of 
which  a  special  chapter  will  be  devoted,  is  responsible  for  respira- 
tory defects  in  far  greater  measure  than  is  generally  acknow- 
ledged, in  consequence  of  its  after  effects;  these  result  in  a  com- 
plete alteration  in  the  general  structure  of  the  lungs  which  renders 
it  impossible  for  the  animal  to  draw  in  that  amount  of  air  that  is 
requisite  to  enable  it  to  sustain  prolonged  exertion;  simple  inflam 
mation  of  the  lungs  also  leaves  behind  similar  injurious  conse- 
quences and  unless  a  suitable  remedy  is  administered  capable  of 
restoring  the  lungs  to  a  healthy  state  by  getting  rid  of  the 
diseased  products  which  are  the  result  of  the  inflammation  thi 
animal  is  rendered  permanently  defective  in  its  breathing;  there 
is  reason,  however,  to  believe  that  such  a  result  may  be  attained 
in  the  majority  of  cases  under  homoeopathic  treatment,  and  this 
is  the  chief  point  of  interest  for  our  consideration. 

The  whole  of  the  list  of  cases,  including  even  the  inost  serious, 
is  due  in  a  great  measure  to  the  inflammatory  process  which  ex- 
ercises a  marvellous  influence  upon  the  various  tissues  of  which 
the  respiratory  tract  is  made  up,  and  effects  such  changes  that  the 
shape  of  the  passage  in  its  whole  length  is  more  or  less  altered; 
and  in  this  way  the  production  of  unnatural  sounds  in  the  act  of 
breathing  is  brought  about;  this  being  the  case,  it  is  deserving  of 
serious  consideration  whether  any  drug  exists  that  is  capable  of 
exercising  a  potent  influence  upon  this  uniform  condition  of  affairs; 
if  so,  there  is  reasonable  hope  that  relief  may  be  afforded  in  most 
cases  and  cure  in  many  others;  but  it  may  be  argued,  and  with 
no  little  show  of  reason,  that  this  does  not  account  for  the  struc- 
tural change  in  the  larynx  due  to  a  wasting  of  the  muscles  which 
in  its  turn  is  accounted  for  by  a  lack  of  nerve  stimulus,  the  effect 
of  which    accounts  for   true    roaring;    but  here  a  difference  of 


ROARING.  107 

opinion  as  to  the  cause  of  the  wasting  and  degeneration  of  the 
muscles  may  fairly  be  held,  because  cases  of  wasted  laryngeal 
muscles  have  been  observed  in  post-mortem  examinations  where- 
in no  defect  or  disease  of  the  nerve  which  supplies  the  physiolo- 
gical stimulus  to  these  particular  muscles  could  be  discov^ered;  in 
addition  to  this  negative  argument,  we  cannot  overlook  the  fact, 
that  the  degenerative  change,  described  as  fatty  degeneration, 
affecting  the  defective  muscles  of  the  larnyx  may  be  brought 
about  by  causes  altogether  independent  of  nerve  force,  and  this 
fact  renders  the  possibility  of  cure  or  relief  all  the  more  promis- 
ing, as  in  homoeopathic  practice  there  is  at  least  one  remedy  that 
is  capable  of  contracting  the  diseased  condition  known  as  ''fatty 
degeneration"  therefore  when  this  is  the  cause  of  roaring,  there  is 
reasonably  good  hope  for  anticipating  the  restoration  of  the  lar3'n- 
geal  muscles  to  a  healthy  state  under  its  influence,  the  renewal  of 
the  proper  physiological  functions  and  the  removal  of  the  cause 
which  produced  the  noise  and  interfered  wnth  sound,  healthy  res- 
piration, more  especially  if  treatment  is  commenced  as  soon  as  the 
defective  respiration  is  observable  in  young  horses.  It  may  be 
desirable  to  note  in  passing  that  several  operations  have  been  at- 
tempted to  overcome  by  surgical  measures  the  defects  already  re- 
ferred to,  that  are  due  to  structural  alteration  of  the  larynx,  such 
as  the  removal  of  the  portion  of  cartilage  which  through  de- 
generation of  the  muscles  cannot  maintain  its  normal  position  and 
falls  inwards;  and  again  a  very  ingenious  operation  has  been 
tested  by  which  the  recurrent  nerve,  that  by  some  is  considered 
responsible  by  reason  of  atrophy  for  the  muscular  degeneration, 
was  severed  and  joined  to  another  nerve  trunk  in  the  hope  of 
supplying  the  necessary  nerve  stimulus  from  a  new  source  and 
thus  restoring  the  muscles  to  a  healthy  state;  but  neither  of  these 
operations  has  answered  expectations,  and  it  may  be  asserted  that 
from  a  really  practical  standpoint  they  are  both  absolute  failures. 
Now  as  to  the  method  of  treatment  to  which  we  advise  a  horse 
to  be  subjected;,  inasmuch  as  it  is  most  difficult,  if  not  absolutel}'- 
impossible  to  positively  determine  what  is  the  cause  of  a  horse 
making  a  noise  in  the  early  stage  of  the  disease,  which  at  the 
same  time  it  is  possitively  essential  in  order  to  effect  a  cure  that 
treatment  should  be  commenced  at  that  period  we  consider  that 
the    two    remedies  which  have  on    various  occasions    afforded 


I08  VETEKINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

marked  relief,  should  be  administered  alternateh^  namely  Arsen- 
icum album  6x  in  doses  of  fifteen  grains  every  morning,  and 
Phosphorus,  3X,  in  doses  of  twenty  minims  every  night,  this 
should  be  continued  for  a  week;  then  a  dose  of  Sulphur  12,  con- 
sisting of  fifteen  grains,  after  which  two  or  three  da3'S  should  be 
allowed  to  elapse  without  any  medicine  being  given,  and  there" 
after  the  same  procedure  should  be  repeated  over  a  period  of  six 
weeks  or  two  months.  This  system  of  treatment  is  applicable  in 
most  cases  where  the  defective  respiration  is  not  due  to  any 
injury  to  the  windpipe,  such  as  fracture  of  one  of  the  cartilaginous 
rings  of  which  the  trachea  is  composed,  under  which  circum- 
stances only  operative  surgery  is  effective;  nor  do  those  cases, 
where  the  bones  of  the  face  are  altered  in  shape,  through  mal- 
formation, come  within  the  range  of  medicinal  treatment;  but 
polypi  and  polypoid  tumors  are  easily  amenable  to  the  action  of 
drugs,  and  as  these,  when  present,  are  discernible  by  careful 
examination  there  is  no  difficulty  in  determining  the  cause; 
Teucriuui  applied  locally  in  the  mother  tincture  and  given  in- 
ternally in  the  third  decimal  attenuation  in  alternation  with  Cal- 
carea  curb.  12,  will  generally  disperse  these  offending  tumors  and 
that  without  resorting  to  the  barbarous  system  of  tearing  the 
tumor  away  by  means  of  a  wire  noose,  in  doing  which  the  mucous 
membrane  is  frequently  severely  lacerated.  Daring  the  course  of 
treatment,  as  before  indicated  for  laryngeal  affections,  it  is  desir- 
able that  the  animal  should  not  be  subjected  to  any  violent  exer- 
cise, nothing  more  than  plain  walking,  but  of  that  it  should  have 
several  hours  daily.  The  diet  should  be  wholesome  and  sound, 
and  the  hay  be  cut  into  short  chaff;  carrots  are  a  decidedly  favor- 
able form  of  nutriment,  as  they  are  easily  digestible  and  serve  ta 
stimulate  the  natural  secretions  and  at  the  same  time  counteract 
any  heating  tendency  there  may  be  in  the  cereal  portion  of  the 
diet.  We  cannot  guarantee  success  in  all  cases,  but  our  experi- 
ence justifies  us  in  offering  the  assurance  that  a  sanguine  hope 
may  be  entertained  of  rendering  an  otherwise  hopeless  case  cap- 
able of  useful  work:  we  have  known  several  cases  of  some  stand- 
ing in  race  horses  that  could  not  gallop  at  anything  like  top  speed 
over  five  furlongs  come  out  after  a  course  of  treatment  with 
Arsenicum.,  3X  or  6x,  and  win  a  sprint  race  over  that  distance  in 
right  gallant  style;  but  these  old  standing-cases  always  require  a 


THE    LUNGS.  IO9 

mouth's  course  of  the  remedy  before  making  such  an  effort;  the 
beauty  of  Arsenicum  is  that  it  not  only  does  not  interfere  with  the 
training  operations  but  in  reahty  acts  as  a  tonic  and  the  horse 
trains  on  better  while  taking  it;  the  same  remarks  of  course  apply 
with  equal  force  to  hunters  or  any  other  class  of  horse. 

THE  IvUNGS. 

The  consideration  of  the  various  forms  of  disease  which  affect 
the  lungs,  must  for  the  sake  of  distinction  be  divided  into  three 
classes,  but  before  defining  them  it  is  desirable,  if  not  necessary, 
for  a  proper  appreciation  of  the  subject,  to  explain  as  simply  as 
possible  the  construction  of  these  vitally  important  organs.  Com- 
plex as  the  whole  organism  is,  and  necessary  for  the  maintenance 
of  health}'  life  as  each  individual  set  of  organs  may  be,  probably 
the  lungs  hold  the  post  of  honor  in  relative  importance  when  the 
all  important  topic  of  how  life  in  its  pristine  vigor  is  to  be  main- 
tained comes  under  consideration.  In  the  first  place  let  us  inquire 
of  what  do  lungs  consist;  taken  into  the  hands  and  examined 
under  pressure  they  feel  not  unlike  a  piece  of  sponge;  there  is  a 
certain  amou'it  of  elasticity  about  them  which  under  pressure 
effects  a  sort  of  rebound,  after  being  compressed  into  a  small 
compass  expansion  takes  place  naturally  and  they  assume  their 
original  shape;  this  physical  fact  is  accounted  for  by  their  con- 
struction; the  lungs,  speaking  roughly,  consist  of  a  net-work  of 
hollow  tubes  (called  bronchial  tubes)  of  var3-ing  sizes  supported 
by  connective  tissue,  called  the  parenchyma  or  true  lung  sub- 
stance, while  in  company  with  the  bronchial  tubes  blood  vessels 
(both  arteries  and  veins)  follow  much  the  same  course  among  the 
connective  tissue  or  lung  substance;  the  w^hole  mass  is'  then 
encased  in  a  fine  mesh-like  membrane  which  has  a  glazed  external 
surface  called  the  pleura,  which  helps  in  some  measure  to  keep 
the  lungs  in  the  form  and  shape  they  naturally  assume;  it  must 
be  understood  that  the  bronchial  tubes  described  as  one  of  the 
principal  divisions  of  the  lungs,  are  in  realit}^  continuations  of  the 
trachea  or  windpipe,  which  in  the  first  place  divides  into  two 
branches,  one  for  each  lung;  these  main  branches  then  enter  the 
lung  and  thereafter  divide  and  subdivide  into  smaller  and  still 
smaller  branches  until  they  are  so  fine  that  it  needs  powerful 
magnifying  aid    to  discern    their   shape   and   course,    ultimately 


no  VETERINARV    HOMCEOPATHV. 

termiuatiiig  in  minute  pouches  or  air  cells;  like  the  bronchial 
tubes  the  blood  vessels  which  accompany  them  also  become 
smaller  and  smaller  until  they  are  described  as  capillaries,  and 
the  membranes  which  form  the  walls  of  tubes  and  capillaries  are 
so  fine  that  the  blood  is  readily  exposed  to  the  action  of  the  air  in 
the  bronchial  cells  and  the  interchange  of  the  chemical  constitu- 
ents requisite  for  the  maintenance  of  liie  here  takes  place.  The 
larger  bronchial  tubes  are  formed  externally  of  a  tough  mem- 
brane, next  to  which  is  a  layer  of  muscle  and  the  internal  parts  or 
lumen  of  the  tubes  are  lined  with  mucous  membrane;  it  is  desir- 
able to  remember  this  in  order  to  properly  appreciate  the  meaning 
of  bronchitis,  one  of  the  forms  of  disease  hereafter  to  be  referred  to. 
Thus  in  considering  the  morbid  conditions  to  which  the  lungs  are 
liable  it  is  uecessary  to  bear  in  mind  that  there  are  three  distinct 
parts  which  may  either  be  separately  and  individuall}^  the  seats  of 
inflammation,  or  as  is  more  generally  the  case  in  the  horse,  all 
three  may  be  affected  at  one  and  the  same  time;  namely,  the 
bronchial  tubes;  the  true  lung  substance  and  the  pleura;  when 
these  are  the  seat  of  inflammation  they  are  described  respectively 
as  bronchitis,  pneumonia  and  pleurisy. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  bronchial  tubes,  like  all  kinds  of  inflamma- 
tion is  preceded  by  congestion  or  excess  of  blood  to  the  parts,  and 
if  only  this  congested  condition  is  recognized  in  time,  the  difficulty 
and  responsibility  of  treatment  are  materially  modified,  but  unfor- 
tunately it  is  not  often  that  during  this  stage  the  absolute  state  of 
affairs  is  discerned  in  the  horse.  Bearing  in  mind,  what  has 
already  been  stated,  that  the  bronchial  tubes  are  continuations  of 
the  windpipe,  and  that  this  portion  of  the  lungs  is  of  necessity 
the  first  to  feel  the  effects  of  cold  air  it  is  not  surprising  that  as  a 
rule  bronchitis  develops  itself  before  either  pneumonia  or  pleurisy, 
though  it  must  be  clearly  understood  this  is  not  an  absolutely 
fixed  rule. 

Exposure  to  cold  and  a  consequent  general  lowering  of  the 
body  temperature,  more  frequently  than  anything  else  accounts 
for  bronchitis,  but  why  the  lungs  should  be  the  particular  organs 
upon  which  the  force  of  the  inflammatory  process  is  ultimately 
centered  is  not  quite  clear  unless  predisposing   weakness  either 


BRONCHITIS.  I  1 1 

from   hereditary  or  other  causes  will   account   for  it;    as  in  the 
human  subject,  the  horse  is  more  liable  to  an  attack  of  bronchitis 
in  youth  and  old  age,  but  at  the  same  time  there  is  no  doubt  that 
hygienic  surroundings  are  frequently   responsible  for  attacks  of 
lung  disease  among  mature  animals  that  would  come  under  neither 
category;  when  stabled  in  close,   hot,   ill-ventilated   habitations, 
where  under  the  mistaken  apprehension  that  heat  is  a  necessity, 
horses  are  continually  breathing  a  vitiated  atmosphere,  and  there- 
after in  course  of  ordinary  work,  or  special  exercise  for  training 
purposes  are  either  allowed  to  stand  about  in  a  cold  northeast 
wind  or  inhale  a  cold,  moist  wind  during  violent  exercise,  it  is 
not  to  be  wondered  if  the  bronchial  tubes  already  surcharged  with 
blood  receive  such  a  shock  that  the  normal  balance  of  the  circula- 
tion is  not  restored  and  consequently  that  the  air   tubes  are  ren- 
dered  exceptionably  susceptible;    this  in  itself  will  account  for 
many  cases  of  bronchitis  that  under  no  other  condition  would  be 
developed,  hence  the  importance  of  providing  healthy  surround- 
ings for  all  classes  of  horses  in  places  occupied  during  periods  of 
rest  or  when  not  actively  employed.     Comniofi  cold  is  in  a  large 
proportion  of  instances  the  precursor  of  this  fatal  disease  and  it  is 
impossible  to   exercise   too   much  caution  in   order    to   prevent 
further  developments  when  once  the   mucous  membrane  of  the 
respiratory  tract  shows  signs  of   becoming  affected,    for   unless 
proper  care  is  taken,  there  is  no  telling  how  far  it  may  spread  nor 
how  serious  may  be  the  ultimate  consequences;  it  is  a  very  com- 
mon practice  for  the  human  subject  to  trifle  with  a  simple  cold 
and  to  make  the  remark  "  oh  if  s  only  a  little  cold,  it  zvill  soon  go 
off,''   but  'erelong,  in  numerous  instances,  bronchitis  and  pneu- 
monia follow  and  death  supervenes,  much  to  the  surprise  of  those 
who  are  left  to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  life  that   with  due  precaution 
need  not  have  been  sacrificed;  the  same  applies  to  animals,  espec- 
ially such  as  are  coddled  up  in  a  hot  stable  one  hour  and  the  next 
exposed  to  the  biting  blast  of  a  keen  nor'easter  with  less  clothing 
and  bodil}'  protection  on  than  when  in  the  stuffy  stable. 

It  has  already  been  observed  that  the  bronchial  tubes  are  con- 
tinuous, gradually  dividing  and  subdividing,  something  like  the 
branches  of  a  tree,  until  the  smallest  tubes  are  so  small  of  calibre 
that  they  cannot  be  discerned  b}^  the  naked  eye.  Now,  at  first 
sight  it  may  seem  somewhat  singular,  but  it  is  nevertheless  the 


112  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

fact,  that  the  smaller  the  tubes  affected  with  inflammation,  the 
more  dangerous  is  the  form  assumed  by  the  disease  and  the  greater 
the  risk  of  its  proving  fatal.  This  is,  in  some  measure,  due  to 
the  fact  that  the  larger  tubes  are  invariably  first  attacked  by  in- 
flammation and  the  disease  graduall}''  spreads  from  smaller  tO' 
smaller  tubes  until  the  whole  tubal  portion  of  the  lungs  is  invaded, 
and  in  this  way  the  disease  gains  a  continuously  growing  hold 
upon  this  portion  of  the  organs  until  no  part  remains  free  from  its 
destructive  influence.  Moreover,  the  smaller  the  tubes  the  more 
easily  are  they  blocked  up  with  the  exudation  of  mucus,  which  is 
due  to  the  inflammatory  process,  and  thus  rendered  useless  for  the 
purpose  of  the  passage  of  air  through  them,  breathing  being  ex- 
tremely difficult,  resulting  in  that  feeling  of  suffocation  which 
only  those  who  have  themselves  suffered  from  bronchitis  can 
appreciate.  This  serves  to  show  how  important  it  is  to  arrest  the 
disease  in  its  earlier  stages,  that  is  before  it  has  extended  beyond 
the  larger  bronchial  tubes.  In  order  to  be  able  to  decide  how  far 
the  inflammation  has  penetrated  resort  must  be  had  \.o  auscultation: 
or  listening  \\\\\\  the  ear  against  the  chest.  When  the  larger 
tubes  only  are  affected,  the  respiratory  sounds  will  be  deep  and 
sonorous,  and  may  be  observed  chiefly  in  the  front  of  the  chest, 
just  underneath  the  windpipe;  but  when  the  disease  has  pene- 
trated to  the  deeper  and  consequently  smaller  ramifications  of  the 
„tubal  portion  of  the  lungs,  the  sound  is  shrill  and  high  pitched; 
to  discern  these  properly,  the  ear  must  be  pressed  firmly  against 
the  ribs  and  the  test  applied  anywhere  ov^er  the  region  of  the  ribs 
on  both  sides.  In  the  early  stage  of  the  disease,  that  is  to  say, 
when  the  respective  parts  are  first  invaded,  the  sound  is  dry,  but 
as  it  progresses  this  is  displaced  by  a  moist  sound  brought  about 
by  the  secretion  of  fluent  mucus  which  follows  the  dryness  observ- 
able when  the  febrile  conditions  first  result  in  an  entire  arrest  in 
the  secretion  of  the  normal  quantity  of  mucus  from  the  internal 
membrane. 

Symptoms. — The  first  thing  to  draw  the  attention  to  the  horse 
will  be  probably  a  short,  dry  cough;  or  possibly  loss  of  appetite; 
the  coat  will  be  rough  and  staring,  and  the  clinical  thermometer 
will  show  that  the  temperature  is  higher  than  it  ought  to  be;  the 
pulse  is  rapid,  probably  65  or  70  beats  per  minute;  the  breathing 
will  comparatively  be  more  frequent  than  the  pulse;  the  horse  will 


BRONCHITIS.  113 

give  distinct  evidence  of  thirst,  and  its  general  demeanor  be  de- 
cidedly listless;  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  nose  is  redder 
than  usual  and  in  the  early  stage  dry;  the  same  condition  exists 
in  the  bronchial  tubes,  which  accounts  for  the  harsh  sound 
observed  on  auscultating  the  chest;  as  the  disease  advances  this 
dry  condition  of  the  lining  membrane  will  be  changed  and  replaced 
by  an  increased  secretion  of  mucus,  producing  a  moist  sound;  this 
is  a  favorable  condition,  as  it  is  indicative  of  the  fact  that  the  in- 
flammation is  subsiding;  when  the  disease  is  at  its  height  the 
animal  rarel}^  lies  down  in  consequence  of  the  difficulty  exper- 
ienced in  breathing.  At  this  period  it  is  important  to  select  those 
remedies  which  tend  to  assist  in  the  expulsion  of  the  accumulated 
mucus,  otherwise  some  of  the  smaller  bronchial  tubes  may  become 
blocked  up  permanently,  and  the  result  will  be  what  is  known  as 
thick  whid,  a  condition  which  materially  reduces  the  value  of  an 
animal  and  renders  him  unable  to  perform  work  which  demands 
strong  and  continuous  exertion. 

Treatment. — Aconite  3X.  This  is  invariably  the  first  remedy 
to  be  given  to  abate  the  febrile  conditions;  especially  when  the 
skin  and  mouth  are  dry  and  hot,  and  thirst  is  very  pronounced; 
membrane  lining  nose  dry  and  red;  cough  harsh,  drj"  and  short; 
urine  scanty  and  high  colored. 

Bryonia  3X. — After  two  or  three  preliminary  doses  of  Aconite 
and  the  inflamed  condition  of  the  membrane  of  the  windpipe  has 
■extended  down  to  the  point  in  the  chest  where  it  divides  into  two 
branches  and  enters  the  lungs  Bryonia  is  the  remedy;  the  Aconite 
may  be  discontinued;  under  Bryonia  the  dryness  of  the  membrane 
which  produced  the  short,  dry  cough,  and  particularly,  if  this  is 
aggravated  by  motion,  will  be  replaced  by  a  moist  exudation;  but 
when  the  disease  has  extended  beyond  this  point  Bryonia  must 
not  be  relied  upon  as  it  has  no  effect  upon  the  smaller  bronchial 
tubes. 

Mercurius  solnbilis  j. — This  remed}'  has  a  great  reputation  for 
inflammatory  bronchial  affections,  and  is  credited  with  the  power 
of  penetrating  to  the  finest  tubes;  it  certainly  is  peculiarly  ef- 
fective under  such  conditions,  when  other  symptoms,  such  as 
-swollen  glands,  sore  throat,  slavering  from  the  mouth,  moist,  soft 
cough  are  also  observable. 

Antimoniitm  tartaricicm  6x. — This  is  an  extremely  serviceable 
8 


114  VETERIXARV    HOMOEOPATHY. 

remedy  at  that  period  of  the  disease  when  the  moist  sounds  are 
due  to  an  accumulation  of  soft,  white  mucus  that  comes  away  in 
lumps;  but  especially,  if  the  animal  seems  distressed  in  breathing 
by  reason  of  want  of  power  to  expel  the  mucus;  loud  gurgling 
sounds  will  be  heard  in  the  windpipe  and  lungs  generally;  the 
cough  loose,  accompanied  with  a  rattling  noise. 

Phosphorus  3X. — There  is  no  doubt  that  this  is  one  of  the  most 
valuable  lung  remedies  we  have,  and  that  when  its  own  peculiar 
disease  producing  effects  are  present,  there  is  none  to  excel  it; 
post  mortem  investigation  in  subjects  poisoned  b}'  Phosphorus 
renders  this  fact  very  clear;  but  we  believe  that  we  shall  be  con- 
firmed in  our  opinion  by  recognized  authorities,  when  we  state 
that  it  is  more  in  that  complicated  form  of  lung  disease  known  as 
broncho-pneumonia,  wherein  the  substance  proper  of  the  lungs, 
as  well  as  the  bronchial  tubes  are  implicated,  that  it  is  indicated, 
of  this  we  shall  treat  further  on;  at  the  same  time,  if  the  animal  is 
suffering  from  a  suppressed  bronchial  cough,  sometimes  loud,  at 
others  feeble,  but  always  attended  with  evident  pain;  the  discharge 
from  the  nostrils  scanty,  but  at  the  same  time  of  a  rusty  color, 
and  distinct  evidence  of  physical  exhaustion  betrays  itself,  resort 
may  reasonabl)'  be  had  to  this  potent  remed3\ 

Arsenicum  album  3X. — In  cases  where  the  effects  of  the  disease 
in  the  ver}'  fine  air  tubes  does  not  seem  to  have  passed  away,  that 
is  to  say,  in  which  the  exudation  of  mucus  therein  has  become 
consolidated,  and  the  tubes  consequently  blocked  up  and  rendered 
useless  for  respiratory  purposes,  this  remedy  if  persisted  with  for 
sometime,  will  frequently  afford  relief  and  from  the  results  which 
accrue  from  its  administration,  it  is  fair  to  assume  that  it  effects  a 
resolution  of  the  consolidated  tissue  and  brings  about  its  re-ab- 
sorption; however,  be  the  actual  result  what  it  ma3%  the  fact  re- 
mains that  persistent  administration  of  Arsenicum  enables  the 
horse  to  breathe  more  freely  and  renders  it  a  more  useful  animal. 
Sulphur  3,  as  in  other  diseases,  is  in  this  also  an  excellent  in- 
tercurrent remedy,  and  b}^  its  occasional  administration  appears 
to  render  valuable  service,  and  seems  to  stir  up  an  otherwise 
sluggish  system  to  renewed  vitality. 


CONGESTION    OF   THE    LUNGS.  II5 

CONGESTION   OF  THE   LUNGS— PLEURO-PNEUMONIA 
BRONCHO-PNEUMONIA. 

Inflammation  of  the  proper  lung  tissue  is  invariabh'  preceded  b}^ 
congestion  when  it  appears  as  an  independent  diseased  condition; 
and  it  will,  therefore,  be  well  to  consider  what  can  be  done  for  the 
congestion,  as  this  frequently  appears  in  the  horse  independently 
and  ma}'  be  arrested  without  pneumonia  supervening  at  all;  con- 
gestion is  an  accumulation  of  blood  that  ought  to  pass  on  in  the 
ordinary  course  of  circulation  but  does  not;   congestion  of   the 
lungs  is  due  to  an  engorgement  of  the  bloodvessels  which  pene- 
trate the  substance  of  the  lung  tissue  to  its  deepest  parts;  it  gen- 
erally occurs  as  the  result  of  overexertion,  especially  in  young 
animals  that  have  not  been  properly  trained  or  fitted  for  the  work 
they  are  called  upon  to  do;  to  exposure  to  we':  and  cold  when  in 
an  exhausted  condition;  the  respirations  are  performed  in   a  ver}' 
laborious  style;  the  horse  evidently  longs  for  fresh  air,  and  if  in  a 
box  will  make  for  the  first  opening  that  can   be  found;  the  eyes 
are  bloodshot,  and  the  pupils  stare  and  stand  out;  the  legs  and 
bod}'  are  deathly  cold;  pulse  extremely  weak  and  small  but  very 
rapid,  often  up  to  120;  breathing  frequent,  as  many  as  100  respira- 
tions a  minute,  or  even  more;  the  animal  stands  with  hi^  head  de- 
pendent, almost  to  the  ground,  and  has  an  anxious  countenance; 
the  dryness  of  the  skin  in  some  parts  and  the  cold  sweat  that  be- 
dews others  are  each  the  more   noticeable    by    comparison;  the 
mucous  membranes  of  the  nose  and  eyes  are  blue  or  even  purple 
in  color,  and  if  the  ears  be  placed  over  the  region  of  the  ribs  a 
crackling  noise  is  obser^-able,  due  probably  to  the  rapid  exudation 
of  fluid  into  the  air  tubes  by  reason  of  the  tension  from  blood 
pressure.     There  is  one  remedy  that  we  invariably   use   for  this 
condition  and  have  never  known  to  fail,  Anunoniuin  caiisticuni  3X, 
twenty  drops  to  a  dose,  repeated  every  fifteen  minutes;  if  this  is 
given  in  time  and  followed  up  the  greatest  confidence  ma}'  be  re- 
posed in  it;  but  if  the  attack  has  been  allowed  to  make  headway 
resort  must  be  had  to  Aconite  and  Phosphorus. 

Accessory  measures  will  much  facilitate  matters  and  aid  the 
remedy  in  its  work;  first,  the  animal  must  be  got  into  a  box  in  which 
fresh  air  without  draughts  abounds;  if  there  is  much  cold  sweat 
about  the  body  wheat  straw  that  is  not  broken   should  be  laid 


Il6  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

lengthwise  aioiig  the  back,  and  over  this  two  or  three  warm  horse 
cloths  placed;  the  straw  is  intended  to  aid  the  ventilation  of  the 
body  and  in  getting  up  the  heat;  the  legs  should  be  hand-rubbed 
and  then  bandaged  with  thick  flannel,  and  the  ears  also  be  firmly 
rubbed  the  way  the  hair  lies;  if  the  skin  generally  is  dry  and  there 
is  no  sweat,  an  effort  must  be  made  to  induce  a  healthy  perspira- 
tion by  clothing  the  animal  with  several  thick  cloths  and  keeping 
the  hood  on  when  not  rubbing  the  ears;  if  the  horse  will  drink 
let  him  have  as  much  tepid  water  as  he  will  take,  or  previously 
boiled  oatmeal  may  be  mixed  with  the  water  as  an  appetizer;  as 
the  perspiration  is  established  care  must  be  taken  that  the  animal 
does  not  experience  another  chill;  four  men,  two  on  each  side, 
should  set  to  work  with  straw  wisps  to  dress  it  down  for  five 
minutes,  after  which  the  clothing  should  be  replaced  and  continued 
attention  given  until  the  coat  is  dry  and  the  respirations  are  calm 
and  natural. 

PNEUMONIA. 

Under  this  heading  we  shall  include  all  the  forms  which  by 
pathologists  are  dealt  with  individually  according  to  the  particular 
tissues  affected,  as  it  is  not  necessary  to  trouble  the  reader  with  a 
consideration  of  these  minutiae  because  such  differences  as  exist 
will  be  treated  of  under  the  various  remedies  according  to  the 
special  symptoms  developed  by  each  respectively,  we  will,  how- 
ever, just  explain  that  by  pneumonia  we  refer  to  inflammation  of 
the  true  lung  substance,  which  consists  of  the  connective  tissue 
that  serves  to  support  and  maintain  in  position  the  vast  net  work 
of  air  tubes  that  ramify  its  substances  and  form  so  large  an  integ- 
ral proportion  of  the  breathing  organs;  pneumonia  is,  therefore, 
a  simple  term  which  applies  to  one  description  of  tissue;  but  so 
intimately  associated  are  all  the  component  parts  of  the  lungs,  and 
so  nearly  allied  the  one  with  the  other,  that  as  has  already  been 
stated  in  a  former  chapter,  it  generally  happens  that,  by  a  combi- 
nation of  circumstances  rarely  combatted,  an  inflammation  in  one 
tissue  extends  to  that  adjoining,  hence  simple  pneumonia  assumes 
a  compound  aspect  when  the  bronchial  tubes  are  also  affected  and 
is  desribed  by  pathologists  as  broncho- pneumonia,  while  yet  again 
a  second  compound  inflammatory  condition  is  established  when 
the  disease  extends  to  the  pleura,  the  fine  membrane  which  en- 


PXEU.MONIA.  117 

■cases  all  the  other  parts,  when  we  have  to  deal  with  pleuro-pneu- 
monia.  To  attempt,  in  such  a  work  as  ours,  to  explain  all  the 
varieties  of  morbid  action  arising  out  of  a  study  of  these  three 
forms  of  pneumonic  inflammation  would  not  result  in  any  useful 
purpose,  as  it  w^ould  necessitate  a  dissertation  that  after  all  would 
not  assist  the  layman  to  treat  and  cure  his  animals,  but  would 
probably  serve  only  to  perplex  and  confound;  moreover,  th^ 
beauty  of  the  homoeopathic  system  lies  in  its  simplicity,  and  in 
the  fact  that  the  various  phases  of  this  disease  are  each  discern- 
ible by  the  outward  manifestations  in  the  form  ot  symptoms 
and  these,  when  compared  with  the  drug  symptomatology  here- 
after indicated,  will  prove  far  more  efficacious  and  effectual  for 
good  to  the  practical  horseman  than  the  most  profound  stud}-  of 
all  the  intricate  pathological  developments  which  ma}^  be  observed 
-during  the  period  this  disease,  in  its  varying  forms,  is  making  in- 
road upon  the  animal  system.  It  is  a  recognized  fact  that  under 
ordinary  treatment  the  disease  occupies  an  approximately  fixed 
period  of  time  from  incubation  to  defervescence,  and  we  believe 
that  three  weeks  is  the  shortest  time  this  process  is  recognized  as 
occupying;  the  questions  then  that  arise  are,  can  the  disease  be 
■entirely  aborted  if  successfuly  treated  during  the  initiation 
period;  or  failing  that,  can  the  subsequent  periods  of  its  develop- 
ment be  materially  lessened  and  the  cure  effected  in  a  shorter 
time  ?  From  our  own  experience  we  believe  that  both  these  con- 
tingencies are  capable  of  realization  under  suitable  homoeopathic 
treatment;  at  the  same  time  we  distinctly  recognize  that  there  are 
under  our  own,  as  under  any  other  treatment,  distinctly  recogniz- 
able phases  through  which  the  patient  has  to  pass  when  once  the 
disease  has  got  that  hold  upon  the  system  that  the  period  has  gone 
by  when  it  might  have  been  aborted  during  the  incubative  stage; 
to  the  allopath ist  the  bare  suggestion  of  the  possibility  that  such 
a  disease  can  be  aborted  wdien  once  it  has  invaded  the  system  will 
•doubtless  sound  as  puerile  in  the  extreme;  at  the  same  time  we 
are  satisfied,  that  though  very  exceptional  from  the  difficulty  aris- 
ing out  of  uncertain  timely  recognition  it  is  quite  within  the 
range  of  possibility  or  even  probability.  It  is  not  necessary  to 
refer  again  to  the  fact,  that  inflammation  of  these  organs  is  gener- 
ally preceded  b_v  a  chill  that  declares  itself  in  the  form  of  a  com- 
mon cold  any  further  than  as  a  mere  reminder;  we  shall  there- 


Il8  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

fore,  pass  on  to  the  consideration  of  those  symptoms  which  are 
pecuhar  to  the  disease  when  once  it  is  established;  the  incubative 
period  is  ushered  in  by  occasional  shiYcring,  but  the  first  attention 
would  probably  be  directed  to  the  coat,  which  stands  up  and  has 
a  very  open  appearance;  on  handling  the  horse  the  skin  of  the 
body  generally,  but  especially  that  of  the  legs  and  ears,  is  very 
cold;  having  discovered  this,  a  very  short  observation  will  note 
the  rigors  or  shivering;  the  animal's  individual  appearance  is  sug- 
gestive of  extreme  languor;  the  mucous  membranes  lining  eyes 
and  nose  are  of  a  deep  dark  red,  and  they  are  tumified  or  swollen; 
the  internal  temperature  will  rise  to  103  or  105  degrees;  the  pulse 
and  respirations  are  much  more  frequent,  the  latter  being  some- 
times repeated  as  often  as  the  former;  the  appetite  fails  entirely, 
and  it  is  only  by  the  exercise  of  considerable  ingenuity  that  a 
horse  can  be  induced  to  partake  of  nutriment  in  any  form;  indeed 
so  marked  is  the  anorexia  in  some  cases,  that  the  animal  has  to 
be  drenched  wuth  food  in  small  quantities  of  a  highly  nutritious 
liquid  character  to  maintain  the  bodily  powers  in  any  degree;  in 
the  majority  of  cases  the  animal  maintains  a  standing  posture, 
and  never  lies  down  until  breathing  is  performed  more  easily  by- 
reason  of  the  clearing  up  of  the  air  tubes  after  defervesence 
of  the  disease;  he  stands  with  head  stretched  out,  nostrils 
dilated,  fore  legs  wide  apart,  and  heaving  flanks;  the  character  of 
the  pulse  varies  as  the  disease  advances;  in  the  early  stage  it  is 
full  and  hard  and  numbers  80  or  90  beats  per  minute;  thereafter 
it  becomes  softer,  th^  artery  feels  full,  but  the  actual  beat  of  the 
heart  is  not  readily  discernible;  in  unfavorable  cases  the  pulse 
thereafter  becomes  small  and  wiry  and  is  increased  in  frequency 
to  120;  the  respirations  are  urgent  and  appear  to  give  pain  in 
their  performance,  especially  is  this  the  case  when  the  pleural 
membrane  is  involved;  vmder  these  conditions  the  horse  appears 
afraid  to  turn  or  even  move,  and  by  way  of  confirmation  that 
pleuro-pneumonia  is  present,  pressure  of  the  finger  between  any 
of  the  ribs  will  cause  the  animal  to  wince  with  pain;  the  difficulty- 
experienced  in  breathing  is  due,  as  in  capillary  bronchitis,  to  the 
fact  that  the  air  tubes,  in  their  very  small  ramifications,  are 
blocked  up  and  there  is  no  room  for  the  air  to  pass  in  and  out  as 
the  animal  breathes,  and  in  addition  to  this,  those  air  tubes  of  the 
next  larger  calibre  to  the  finest  of  all,  where  they  are  not  abso- 


PNEUMONIA.  119 

lutely  blocked  up,  are  pressed  upon  by  exudation  into  the  sur- 
rounding connective  tissue  which  is  the  result  of  the  inflamma- 
tion, and  consequently  their  size  is  reduced,  and  the  air  which  is 
requisite  for  the  proper  interchange  of  its  chemical  constituents 
with  the  blood  cannot  pass  in  and  the  lack  of  the  necessary 
oxygen  produces  a  sense  of  suffocation. 

Auscultation  of  the  chest  does  not  do  much  more  than  reveal 
how  large  a  portion  of  each  lung  is  invaded  by  the  inflammation, 
as  in  those  cases  where  the  proper  lung  tissue  is  affected  the  sound 
is  that  of  general  dulness;  however  when  resolution  of  the  exuda- 
tion takes  place,  the  healthy  respiratory  murmur  gradually  re- 
turns, which  serves  as  an  indication  of  the  speedy  restoration  to 
health  of  the  patient.  The  urine  is  generally  much  reduced  in 
quantity,  and  is  of  a  high  color;  the  faeces  are  dry,  constipation 
and  torpor  of  the  bowels  being  generally  present:  should  this 
condition  turn  to  diarrhoea  it  may  be  accepted  as  a  ver}^  unfavor- 
able indication  and  suggestive  of  typhoid  complications — such  as 
are  observable  in  Newmarket  fever,  hereafter  to  be  referred  to  in 
detail;  in  the  advanced  unmitigated  form  of  the  disease,  abscesses 
develop  in  the  deep-seated  structure  of  the  lungs,  and  are  produc- 
tive not  only  of  immediate  danger,  but  if  overcome  they  fre- 
quently leave  results  behind,  which  interfere  with  the  usefulness 
of  the  animal  in  a  marked  degree,  the  abscesses  may  form  in  the 
tubes  or  in  the  lung  substance  proper,  but  in  either  case  they  are 
very  liable  to  spread  from  one  tissue  to  the  other,  breaking  down 
the  walls  of  partition  and  leaving  great  cavities;  this  purulent 
form  of  disease  is  easily  recognizable  by  the  smell  of  the  breath 
which  is  fcetid  and  objectionable  in  the  extreme. 

Treatment. — Aconite  3X  should  invariably  take  the  first  place, 
and  that  alone  for  a  few  doses;  this  is  possibly  the  one  remedy 
that  is  capable  of  aborting  the  disease  if  only  it  is  given  in  time; 
true,  one  who  is  opposed  to  this  line  of  treatment  might  say  that 
at  such  a  stage  it  is  impossible  to  affirm  positiveh'  that  lung  in- 
flammation was  likely  to  become  established,  and  therefore  there 
is  no  reason  in  claiming  that  such  a  disease  can  be  aborted;  were 
it  necessar}^  or  even  useful  to  combat  such  an  argument  it  might 
be  attempted,  but  we  do  not  think  it  would  be  and  therefore  rest 
contented  with  the  bold  assertion  that  we  think  there  is  justifica- 
tion in  the  claim  made  for  the  abortive  powers  of  Aconite;  as 


120  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

usual  the  early  indications  for  this  drug  are  hard,  full,  bounding- 
pulse;  exalted  temperature;  quick  respiration;  red,  swollen  eyes; 
short,  hacking  cough;  diminished  urine,  constipated  bowels;  on 
the  other  hand  when,  as  is  occasionally  the  case,  the  pulse  is  very 
small,  feeble,  and  hardly  detectable,  the  respirations  are  almost  as 
frequent  as  the  pulse,  and  labored;  the  legs  and  ears  are  especially 
cold,  accompanied  with  frequent  fits  of  shivering  a  few  frequent 
doses  of  Ammonium  causticum  3X  should  precede  the  Aconite. 

PhospJiorus  3x  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  chief  remedies  in 
pneumonia,  and  especially  in  that  form  known  as  broncho-pneu- 
monia; in  animals  poisoned  by  phosphorus  distinct  hepatization 
was  observable  and  therefore  on  homoeopathic  principles  it  should 
prove  serviceable  where  such  physical  signs  are  observable.  It  is 
a  capital  remedy  to  follow  Aconite,  or  to  be  given  in  alternation 
with  it,  when  the  internal  temperature  keeps  up,  and  under  such 
circumstances  doses  of  first  one  and  then  the  other  should  be 
administered  every  two  hours;  one  of  the  principal  symptoms 
occurring  in  this  disease  which  specially  indicate  that  Phosphorus 
is  the  most  suitable  remedy  is  the  discharge  of  red  or  rusty-colored 
mucus  from  the  nostrils;  when  this  is  present  it  will  be  better  to 
rely  entirely  and  alone  on  Phosphorus,  and  discontinue  Aco7iite  if 
that  has  previously  been  giv^en  in  alternation. 

Chelidonium  viajus  0. — We  were  indebted  to  Dr.  Hughes' 
"Pharmacodynamics"  for  drawing  our  attention  to  the  value  of 
this  remedy  under  the  following  special  conditions,  and  can  from 
the  experience  gained  in  one  or  two  cases,  confirm  this  gentleman's 
conclusions.  It  is  by  no  means  an  unusual  coinciden:e  that  in 
pneumonia  in  the  horse  there  are  liver  complications,  as  evidenced 
by  the  yellow  color  of  the  mucous  membranes  of  eyes  and  mouth; 
pressure  over  the  seat  of  the  liver,  close  up  against  the  last  rib  on 
the  off  side,  will  reveal  considerable  tenderness,  the  horse  will 
wince  and  draw  away  from  you;  and  in  the  cases  referred  to  the 
right  lung  was  principally  involved,  while  urgent  and  frequent 
coughing  was  specially  noticeable;  the  influence  of  the  remedy  in 
these  particular  cases  was  very  marked;  the  cough  was  relieved 
in  a  great  measure  within  two  days,  the  yellow  color  of  the  mem- 
branes gradually  changed  to  a  normal  pink,  and  the  diseased  lung 
underv/ent  the  desired  changes  until  no  unnatural  condition  was 
observable;  as  we  have  had  certainly  two  cases  of  this  sort,  and 


PNEUMONIA.  121 

both  went  on  in  much  the  same  way,  we  consider  that  they  serve 
to  confirm  Dr.  Hughes'  views  concerning  the  special  indications 
for  this  drug  in  a  remarkable  and  very  satisfactory  manner. 

Bryonia  3X. — When  deposition  of  formed  material  has  taken 
place  in  the  true  lung  tissue,  and  that  form  of  the  disease  known 
as  plcuro-pneiimonia  is  developed,  which,  as  before  stated,  can 
readily  be  recognized  by  the  pain  the  animal  evinces  as  the  result 
of  pressure  between  the  ribs,  this  is  a  splendid  remedy;  further 
evidence  of  this  state  of  things  may  also  be  gleaned  from  the 
nature  of  the  animal's  cough,  which  is  short,  painful  and  catchy, 
an  effort  is  evidently  being  made  to  suppress  the  cough,  if  possible; 
if  this  is  of  the  dry  character,  as  though  there  were  no  mucus  to 
cough  up,  and  the  membranes  were  harsh,  it  serves  as  an  addi- 
tional indication  for  Bryonia,  under  the  influence  of  which  the 
tickling  that  serves  to  excite  the  continuous  cough  is  relieved; 
the  liver  also  comes  under  the  same  category,  provided  the  yellow 
color  of  eyes  and  mouth  is  neither  too  deep  nor  pronounced;  when 
the  discharge  through  the  nose  is  profuse  and  rusty  colored  in 
conjunction  with  the  symptoms  previously  mentioned  as  peculiar 
to  Bryonia,  it  will  be  well  to  alternate  this  remed}'  with  Phosphorus; 
but  alternation  of  remedies  is,  in  our  judgment,  only  permissible  in 
such  diseases  as  this,  where  two  or  three  pathological  processes 
are  going  on  at  •  the  same  time;  to  be  strictly  in  accord  with 
Hahnemann  it  should  be  noted  that  alternation  of  remedies  is  only 
very  occasionally  allowable. 

Antiimnium  tartaricuni  6x. — Although  this  agent  has  been 
relied  upon  among  medical  practitioners  for  the  human  subject  in 
the  old  system,  it  is  not  often  prescribed  by  veterinarians  and  as 
is  ably  pointed  out  by  Dr.  Hughes,  it  is  not  in  the  earlier  stages 
of  pneumonia  that  it  is  likely  to  prove  efficacious;  this  fact  we 
are  able  to  confirm  from  experience  among  horses  and  cows;  but 
there  is  a  period  in  the  course  of  the  disease  in  which  it  exercises 
a  very  marked  effect  for  good;  we  have 'already  endeavored  to 
make  it  clear  that  as  this  inflammation  progresses,  the  smallest  air 
tubes  and  cells  beome  blocked  up  with  a  fluid  effusion  that  ulti- 
mately becomes  formed  into  a  more  solid  form  and  also  that  a  fluid 
exudation  takes  place  into  the  mesh-like  fibres  that  go  to  makeup 
the  true  lung  tissue,  surrounding  the  air  tubes,  which  in  turn 
assume  a  solid  tissue,  or,  as  it  is  described  in  pathology  ''formed 


122  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

material;''  now,  in  reference  to  both  these  conditions  it  is  quite 
clear  that  before  the  lung  can  be  restored  to  a  healthy  state  and 
rendered  capable  of  performing  the  function  of  respiration  aright, 
this  formed  material,  which  is  certainly  a  foreign  body  must  be 
removed;  this  is  performed  by  what  is  commonly  called  '^resolu- 
tion ' '  by  which  we  must  understand  that  the  formed  material  or 
solid  tissue  situate  in  and  around  the  air  tubes  has  to  be  resolved 
into  a  fluid  again,  taken  up  by  the  various  blood  vessels  and  lym- 
pathics  and  in  this  way  be  conveyed  out  of  the  system;  very 
frequentl}^  while  this  process  of  resolution  is  going  on,  the  formed 
material  does  not  become  fluid  enough,  nor  have  the  air  tubes 
sufficient  power  and  vitality  to  expel  it  in  its  more  solid  form  in 
the  shape  of  expectoration,  therefore  some  remedy  is  called  for 
that  will  facilitate  the  process  and  render  it  possible  to  get  rid  of 
this  accumulation;  Antim.  tart,  will  as  a  rule  effect  the  desired  end 
and  afford  the  patient  the  relief  so  urgently  needed;  in  order  to 
determine  the  proper  time  for  the  administration  listen  carefully 
with  the  ear  against  the  ribs  in  various  positions  for  a  bubbling 
or  rattling  sound,  as  though  air  was  passing  forcibly  through 
water,  while  at  the  same  time  the  horse  evinces  difficult}'  in  breath- 
ing and  seems  well  nigh  choked  b}^  the  partial  rising  of  a  large 
quantity  of  soft  mucus  which  he  cannot  quite  succeed  in  expell- 
ing. 

Arsenicum  album  3X  is  called  for  not  infrequently  in  cases  that 
after  progressing  so  far  discontinue  improvement  and  fall  back 
again;  especially  incases  that  assume  a  typhoid  form;  diarrhoea, 
increased  fever,  weak,  small,  wiry  pulse,  effusion  of  fluid  into  the 
chest,  (which  may  be  discovered  by  pulling  one  foreleg  foreward 
and  listening  at  the  bottom  of  the  chest,  when  a  dripping  as  of 
water  into  a  well  may  be  heard, )  increased  difficulty  of  breathing: 
restlessness,  unwillingness,  more  than  ever,  to  lie  down;  no  appe- 
tite, but  increased  thirst;  cold,  clammy  condition  of  mouth  and 
wings  of  the  nostrils;  extreme  prostration,  are  the  indications  for 
this  remedy. 

It  is  further  useful  in  conjunction  with  Phosphorus  (not  ad- 
ministered together)  in  those  cases  where  resolution  of  the  formed 
material  has  not  taken  place  thoroughly,  and,  so  called  thick  wind 
is  the  consequence;  a  week  of  Arsenicum  followed  by  a  week  of 
Phosphorus  will  often  materially  improve  such  a  case,  especially 


PLEURISY.  123 

if  one  intermediate  dose  of  Sulphur  12,  consisting  of  fifteen  grains 
be  administered. 

China  6. — In  cases  that  have  progressed  satisfactorily  to  con- 
valescence and  no  bad  results  are  left  behind,  complete  restora- 
tion to  health  will  be  considerably  facilitated  by  administering  a 
ten-drop  dose  of  China  0  night  and  morning  for  a  week  or  fort- 
night or  even  longer,  provided  the  animal  continues  to  go  on  well 
and  improve;  otherwise  it  should  be  discontinued  and  one  dose  of 
Sulphur  12,  as  mentioned  above  be  given  to  complete  the  cure. 

PI.EURISY. 

We  have  already  endeavored  to  explain  that  the  outer  covering 
of  the  lungs,  the  membrane  which  serves  to  enclose  them  is  called 
the  pleura;  a  membrane  in  all  respects  very  similar  in  character 
and  appearance  to  this,  also  covers  the  internal  portion  of  the 
cavity  of  the  chest,  namely,  that  which  is  inclosed  within  the  ribs, 
and  as  both  have  a  smooth,  shining,  glazed  surface,  they  are  able 
to  rub  together  in  health  without  either  noise  or  sensation,  but 
when  once  inflamed  a  very  different  state  of  affairs  arises;  it  must 
be  understood  that  during  life  there  is  no  space  between  the  lungs 
and  the  wall  of  the  chest,  therefore  it  is  necessary  that  the  mem- 
branes (pleura)  covering  both  lung  and  chest  walls  should  be  per- 
fectly smooth,  that  the  lungs  may,  as  they  move,  glide  easily  over 
the  inner  surface  of  the  chest  walls;  let  inflammation,  however, 
attack  this  delicate  membrane  and  it  no  longer  glides  easily  upon 
itself;  a  roughness  is  the  result,  which,  as  the  lungs  move  in  the 
act  of  respiration,  produce  great  pain  and  auscultation  reveals  the 
frictional  sound,  due  to  two  rough  surfaces  playing  one  upon  the 
other;  such  a  sound  as  is  observable  when  course  sand  or  very  fin 2 
gravel  is  rubbed  between  the  closely  approximated  palms  of  the 
hands. 

The  inflammatory  action  may  center  itself  directly  and  inde- 
pendently upon  the  pleural  membrane,  in  which  case  it  generall}' 
owes  its  origin  to  cold  and  other  meteorological  influences;  or,  it 
may  be  due  to  injury;  in  most  cases,  however,  it  is  associated  with 
inflammation  of  contiguous  portions  of  the  respiratory  organs  or 
diseases  of  the  heart.  In  health,  this  very  finely  constructed 
membrane  secretes  a  fluid  sufficient  in  quantity  only  to  lubricate 
it,   and  so    render  one  part  capable  of  gliding  easily   upon   the 


124  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Other,  but  when  inflammation  sets  in,  from  whatever  cause,  the- 
secretion  is  arrested  and  the  membrane  is  rendered  dry  and  rough. 
After  a  short  time  this  dryness  is  succeeded  by  an  excess  of  fluid 
secretion,  (dissimilar  in  character  from  the  normal,  healthy  secre- 
tion,) which  is  so  constituted  that  in  a  short  period,  if  not  taken 
up  by  the  vessels  again,  it  forms  into  organized  material  of  a 
fibrous  character  that  becomes  interwoven,  and  so  the  lungs  may 
become  actually  adherent  to  the  walls  of  the  chest  and  unable  to 
move  with  the  freedom  requisite  for  comfortable  breathing.  It  is 
in  connection  with  pleurisy  that  we  get  w4iat  is  commonly  known 
as  dropsy  of  the  chest,  because  of  the  great  quantity  of  fluid  that 
is  poured  out  it  becomes  necessary  for  the  allopath  to  tap  the  chest, 
if  only  to  give  some  relief  to  the  pressure  which  this  excess  of 
fluid  produces;  unfortunately,  however,  the  mere  fact  of  drawing 
off  a  portion  of  the  water  on  the  chest  does  not  do  away  with  the 
cause  which  produces  it,  and  hence  the  cavity  of  the  chest  soon 
refils  and  the  difficulty  of  breathing  is  as  great  as  ever;  here  again 
Homoeopathy  steps  in  to  effect  by  therapeutical  measures  what  sur- 
geons fail  to  realize;  the  remedies  necessar}-  for  combatting  this 
painful,  and  while  it  lasts,  distressing  condition  are  few  but  mar- 
vellously effective,  so  much  so  that  if  the  tendency  to  form  fluid 
is  discovered  early,  it  may  be  arrested  before  any  serious  conse- 
quences arise,  that  which  is  already  formed  becoming  reabsorbed 
and  passed  out  of  the  system  through  the  urinary  organs.  But 
£rst  we  must  recapitulate  the  main  symptoms;  chilliness  and. slight 
shivering  usually  precede  the  development  of  the  more  character- 
istic indications,  attended  by  an  exalted  temperature,  rapid,  hard 
pulse  and  quickened  breathing;  the  difficulty  of  breathing  is  ac- 
centuated by  the  evident  pain  caused  in  the  performance  of  the 
function;  when  the  horse  draws  his  breath  in,  he  frequently  coughs, 
when  he  expires  or  lets  it  out,  the  act  is  frequently  effected  at 
twice  as  it  were;  that  is  to  say,  a  pause  in  expiration  takes  place; 
the  animal  experiences  considerable  pain  in  turning  round;  the 
breathing  is  chiefly  performed  by  the  abdominal  muscles,  namely 
those  behind  the  ribs,  with  a  view,  no  doubt,  to  save  as  much 
pain  as  possible  to  the  chest,  and  in  the  abdominal  locality  the  ex- 
ternal muscles  are  corrugated,  especially  if  one  lung  is  more 
affected  than  its  fellow;  pressure  of  the  finger-point  between  the 
intervening  spaces  of  the  ribs  will  cause  the  patient  to  wince  and 


PLEURISY.  125 

move  away  and  in  the  act  of  turning  round  the  animal  very  fre- 
quently grunts  with  pain.  The  individual  peculiarity  of  the 
cough  in  pleurisy  is  marked  by  the  evident  effort  of  the  animal  to 
suppress  it  by  trying  to  break  off  in  the  middle  of  the  act. 

Treatment. — In  the  first  stage,  when  the  febrile  symptoms 
initiate  the  invasion  of  pleurisy,  a  few  doses  of  Aco?nte  3X  may 
be  administered  with  great  advantage;  but  when  the  disease  is  not 
discov^ered  until  the  recognized  indications  of  pleurisy  are  dis- 
tinctly observable  Bryonia  3X  alone  may  be  confidently  relied  on, 
a  dose  every  three  or  four  hours;  this  is  due  to  the  fact  that 
Bryonia  exercises  a  specific  action  upon  "such  membranes  as  those 
of  which  the  pleura  is  a  notable  example;  these  membranes  differ 
entirely  from  the  so-called  mucous  membranes  that  line  the  in- 
ternal parts  of  the  digestive  and  other  organs;  in  the  first  place, 
they  occupy  a  different  position  anatomically,  being  located  ex- 
ternally, as  a  covering  to  the  organs  they  protect;  and,  secondly, 
their  functions  differ  materially  from  mucous  membrane;  they  are 
called  serous  membranes  and  are  capable  of  producing  a  fluid  or 
exudation,  hence  the  excessive  quantity  of  fluid  formed  in  a  case 
of  pleurisy  when  this  membrane  is  inflamed. 

Apis  mellifica  ix. — In  long-standing  cases,  where  the  reabsorp- 
tion  of  the  fluid  in  the  chest  is  not  fullj^  completed,  this  remedy 
will  often  prove  effective  in  bringing  about  the  desired  result;  it 
doubtless  exercises  a  specific  action  upon  the  serous  membranes 
and  at  the  same  time  stimulates  the  kidneys  to  the  performance  of 
the  onerous  duties  which  fall  upon  these  organs  when  an  excess  of 
fluid  has  to  be  got  rid  of  from  some  distant  part. 

Arsenicum  album  3X. — This  remedy  also  may  often  prove  more 
effective  in  getting  rid  of  old-standing  dropsies  of  the  chest,  and 
among  other  s3'mptoms  by  which  it  may  be  recognized  as  displac- 
ing Apis  mel. ,  is  the  fact  that  the  patient  wants  to  drink  a  little 
and  often,  whereas  when  Apis  mel.  is  indicated  thirst  is  repressed 
and  noticeable  by  its  absence;  furthermore,  when  the  heart  is  as- 
sociated with  the  dropsical  condition  of  the  chest,  this  remedy  will 
often  prove  to  be  specially  called  for,  as  it  exercises  a  profound  in- 
fluence upon  the  vital  organ  referred  to;  palpitation,  in  conjunction 
with  great  difficulty  in  breathing,  by  reason  of  the  oppression 
experienced  from  the  dropsical  condition,  should  suggest  this 
remedy. 


126  VETERIXARV    HOMCGOPATHY. 

Hepar  sulphur  6x. — In  some  cases  where  an  animal  is  not  favor- 
ably located  from  a  hygienic  standpoint,  and  the  general  surround- 
ings are  not  of  a  healthy  character,  the  fluid  which  is  effused  into 
the  cavity  of  the  chest  is  not  reabsorbed  and  ultimately  assumes 
the  form  of  pus  (or  matter);  while,  at  the  same  time,  some  of  the 
fluid  becomes  organized  and  membranes  are  formed  which  bring 
about  adhesions  of  the  lungs  to  the  walls  of  the  chest;  under 
these  circumstances  this  remedy  will  frequently  afford  relief,  by 
altering  the  character  of  the  exuded  fluid  and  effecting  resolution 
of  the  false  membranes. 

Accessory  measures  are  in  all  these  lung  complications  to  be 
observed  much  as  in  all  enervating  diseases;  the  animal  should  be 
placed  in  large,  airy  boxes;  be  kept  free  from  draughts;  be  sup- 
plied with  abundance  of  clean  bedding;  be  well  clothed  and  have 
just  as  much  of  the  most  easily  digestible  food  as  he  will  take  at  one 
time,  such  as  mashes,  boiled  oats,  green  food,  carrots,  and  so  on; 
if  the  bowels  are  very  constipated  resort  may  be  had  to  tepid 
enema  injections  to  relieve  the  discomfort  arising  from  undue 
pressure  upon  the  walls  of  the  rectum;  only  under  circumstances 
of  extreme  exigency  should  alcoholic  stimulants  be  resorted  to; 
and  then  Scotch  whiskey  in  milk  is  the  best  that  can  be  given. 

ASTHMA— BROKEN  WIND. 

By  some  eminent  veterinary  pathologists  asthma  and  broken 
wind  are  considered  to  belong  to  distinct  classincations,  and 
notably  the  late  Professor  Robertson  seems  to  have  held  this  opin- 
ion; for  our  own  part  we  consider  them  to  belong  to  one  and  the 
same  morbid  condition,  placing  asthma  first,  as  representing  the 
the  acute  form,  and  broken  wind,  second,  as  representing  the 
chronic  form,  and  we  are  the  more  inclined  to  maintain  this  posi- 
tion from  the  fact  that  the  remedies  which  serve  to  cure  the  one 
are  equally  capable  of  relieving  the  other.  The  mode  of  respira- 
tion and  the  character  of  the  cough  are  very  similar  in  each,  the 
'Only  difference  recognizable  being  that  in  so-called  asthma  the 
attacks  come  on  periodically  with  intervening  periods  of  relief, 
while  in  broken  wind  the  symptoms  continue  without  intermission. 

Symptoms. — In  the  earlier  stages  of  the  disease,  namely,  that 
which  is  described  as  asthma  by  such  as  believe  that  the  disease 
is  distinct  from  broken  wind,  the  difficulty  of  breathing  is  spas- 


ASTHMA — BROKEN   WIND.  1 27 

modic,  the  inspiration  or  drawing  in  of  the  breath  being  performed 
■easily  and  quickly,  while  the  expiration  or  expulsion  of  air  from 
the  chest  is  performed  with  some  difficulty,  and  frequently  a  dis- 
tinct pause  takes  place  in  the  act,  dividing  it,  as  it  were,  into'two 
separate  acts;  if  the  ear  be  placed  over  the  chest  a  wheezing  noise 
is  readily  detectable,  and  the  cough  is  short,  quick  and  difficult  of 
performance;  the  symptoms  while  they  last  produce  an  expression 
■of  anxiety;  they  are  urgent,  and  soon  bring  on  evident  exhaus- 
tion; but  the  greater  the  severity  the  shorter  time  they  continue. 
In  the  more  chronic  form  of  the  disease,  according  to  one  view, 
when  it  would  be  recognized  as  broken  wind  by  those  who  differ- 
entiate between  the  two  conditions,  there  is  not  much  alteration 
in  the  act  of  inspiration,  but  expiration  is  rendered  much  more 
difl&cult  and  labored;  the  muscles  of  the  abdomen  become  con- 
tracted, forming  a  ridge  which  is  observable  from  the  lower  part 
of  the  hip  bone  to  the  bottom  of  the  ribs,  and  the  double  effort  at 
expiration  will  be  easily  noted  by  the  rolling  motion  of  these 
muscles  being   arrested,    and   recommencing   in  the   one   act  of 
expiration.     The  cough  of  broken  wind  is  soft,  and  more  resem- 
bles a  grunt  which  is  wanting  in  force;  the  animal  seems  unable 
to  expel  as  he  would  like  to  do,  and  the  cough  is  easily  excited 
by  exercise,  eating  and  drinking,  by  a  poke  in  the  ribs  or  any 
similar  disturbance.     The  sounds  observable  by  auscultation  are 
not  reliable,  as  they  differ  in  various  cases.    The  digestive  system 
would  appear  to  exercise  considerable  influence  in  the  production 
of  this  condition,  hence  we  can  only  conclude  that  the  nervous 
system  plays  no  insignificant  part  in  connecting  the  two  systems; 
moreover,  care  in  dieting  invariably  assists  in  alleviating  the  more 
acute  symptoms;  to  attempt  to  explain  the  relation  between  cause 
and  effect  would  take  up  too  much  space,  and  probably  involve  an 
argument  in  physiology  that  would  hardly  be  appreciated  in  this 
work. 

Treatment. — If  the  disease  is  fortunately  detected  in  its 
earlier  stage  Digitaline  3X  administered  three  times  a  day  will 
usually  arrest  the  development  of  the  more  chronic  form  and  effect 
a  cure. 

Arsoiicum  album  3X  takes  the  next  place  in  the  rota  of  remedial 
agents. 

Nux  vomica  ix  is  specially  indicated  when  the  disease  can  be 


128  VETERINARY    HOMOEOPATH Y. 

distinctly  traced  to  the  digestive  organs,  as  indicated  by  a  readily 
observable  symptom,  namely,  the  passing  of  flatus  (or  wind  )  from 
the  anus  when  the  animal  coughs. 

Ipecacuanha  3X  is  a  useful  remedy  in  the  early  stages  of  asthma 
when  the  paroxysms  are  associated  with  digestive  troubles,  and 
these  may  also  be  traced  to  a  slightly  inflamed  condition  of  the 
respiratory  tract,  such  as  running  at  the  nose  and  eyes. 

Lobelia  ix  is  undoubtedly  an  excellent  remedy  for  some  cases, 
namely,  those  in  which  the  paroxysms  of  coughing  and  difficulty 
of  breathing  are  specially  aggravated  by  exertion  or  movement; 
distention  of  the  abdomen,  and  passing  much  water  and  that 
frequently,  are  corroborative  indications  for  this  drug. 

Sulphur  12. — Independently  of  the  marvellous  power  which 
this  drug  seems  to  possess  of  arousing  the  system  to  a  higher 
susceptibilty  to  the  action  of  drugs,  it  would  appear  from  Dr. 
Hughes'  Pharmacodynamics  that  it  also  enjoys  a  reputation  in 
human  practice  for  a  specific  power  to  control  chronic  asthma; 
however  this  may  be,  we  are  able  to  add  our  testimony  in  support 
of  this  view,  as  several  cases  of  some  long  standing  that  had, 
according  to  the  position  we  maintain,  arrived  at  the  stage  of 
broken  wind  (emphysema)  yielded  to  the  action  of  Sulphur  12, 
at  the  same  time  it  is  only  fair  to  add  that  the  patient  had  for 
several  weeks  previously  been  x^Q.€\\\\\<g  Arsenicum  album  6x,  but 
with  onh^  slight  indications  of  improvement;  the  question  there- 
fore arises,  was  the  action  of  the  Sulphur  specific  and  individual, 
or  did  it  serve  to  arouse  the  system  to  the  action  of  the  Arseni- 
cum alb.;  it  is,  of  course,  impossible  to  assert  dogmatically  which 
was  its  action,  although  after  consulting  Dr.  Hughes'  work  we 
incline  to  the  opinion  that  the  SulpJiur  acted  independently;  any- 
how the  result  of  the  treatment  was  satisfactor}^,  and  where 
Arsenicum  fails,  we  commend  the  use  oi  Sulphur. 

Accessory  Measures  undoubtedly  exercise  a  potent  influence 
upon  whatever  remedial  measures  may  be  adopted  to  overcome 
this  troublesome  form  of  disease,  which,  for  some  unaccountable 
reason,  appears  to  find  a  readier  seat  of  action  among  the  heavy 
class  of  horses  than  those  that  are  better  bred. 

The  consideration  of  the  diet  to  be  allowed  to  a  broken- winded 
animal  is  all  important;  bulky  food  must  be  avoided;  straw  and 
hay,  with  chaff  of  the  same,  had  better  be  withheld,  or  only  given 


NEWMARKET    FEVER.  1 29 

in  very  small  quantities;  to  make  up  for  this  oats  that  have  been 
carefully  crushed,  with  a  suitable  proportion  of  cracked  beans  or 
split  peas  must  be  given  in  increased  quantity  by  fifty  per  cent,  to 
that  which  the  horse  would  receive  were  it  in  receipt  of  the 
common  mixture  of  hay  or  chaff;  and  succulent  diet  such  as 
vetches,  clover  and  lucerne  in  the  summer,  and  carrots  in  the 
winter  should  be  allowed  in  moderate  quantity  as  aids  to  nutrition 
on  the  one  hand  and  digestion  on  the  other;  if  the  horse  has  fast 
work  to  perform  care  must  be  observed  to  so  order  the  time  of  the 
meals  that  the  work  has  not  to  be  performed  upon  a  full  stomach. 
During  the  daytime  the  horse's  head  should  be  tied  up  short  to 
prevent  the  possibility  of  getting  at  bedding  straw,  and  at  night 
when  head  must  of  necessity  be  let  down,  a  muzzle  should  in- 
variably be  used;  in  order  to  avoid  the  practice  of  taking  large 
quantities  of  fluid  at  one  time  it  is  a  good  plan  to  have 'a  constant 
suppl}'  always  available,  as  under  these  circumstances  only  small 
quantities  of  water  will  be  taken  in  the  stomach  at  one  time. 

NEWMARKET    FEVER. 

Gentlemen  who  take  an  interest  in  sport,  and  racing  in  particu- 
lar, have  doubtless  often  read  in  English  sporting  papers  of  a 
disease  called  "' N'ezvmarket  Fever,'"  and  as  it  is  frequently  de- 
scribed as  very  fatal,  and  by  some  writers  as  infectious  and  there- 
fore likely  to  spread  through  a  stud,  it  may  be  of  some  service  to 
devote  a  chapter  to  the  consideration  of  its  principal  characteris- 
tics, more  especially  as  some  of  the  leading  sportsmen  in  the 
United  States  are  sending  over  their  thoroughbreds  to  compete  on 
our  English  race-courses. 

With  a  view  to  confirmation  as  to  the  pathology  of  the  disease 
w^e  placed  ourselves  in  communication  with  one  of  the  most  emi- 
nent resident  veterinary  practitioners  in  Newmarket,  Mr.  E.  H. 
Eeach,  F.  R.  C.  V.  S.,  who  promptly  and  very  kindly  furnished 
some  interesting  details  of  cases  that  had  passed  through  his 
hands,  and  a  post-mortem  specimen  consisting  of  a  piece  of  a  lung 
taken  from  a  two-year-old  filly,  w^hich  had  been  a  subject  of  the 
disease,  and  with  great  pleasure  we  own  our  thankful  indebted- 
ness to  Mr.  Eeach  for  the  trouble  he  took  in  this  matter.  The 
disease,  according  to  this  eminent  practitioner,  is  called  ''New- 
9 


130  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

market  Fever''  in  Ne^vmarket  and  tlie  sporting  papers  and  no 
where  else;  it  is  in  fact  a  local  term  that  has  gained  world-wide 
notoriet}' — it  is  generally  known  elsewhere,  says  Mr.  Leach,  as 
infectious  pleuro-pneumonia,  typhoid  pneumonia  and  influenza; 
from  the  post-mortem  specimen  w^hich  Mr.  Leach  kindly  for- 
warded for  our  inspection,  we  formed  the  opinion  that  the  filly 
from  which  this  was  taken  had  been  the  subject  of  septic  pleuro- 
pneumonia, by  which  we  mean  that  the  case  was  one  of  very  acute 
pleuro-pneumonia  in  the  first  instance  followed  by  and  intensified 
by  blood  poisoning;  the  s^nnptoms  as  furnished  by  Mr.  Leach 
were,  when  he  was  called  in,  "blowing,  off  feed,  temperature  105.2 
degrees,  pulse  78,  respirations  44  per  minute;  visible  mucous 
membranes  a  nastj'  pinky-yellow;  legs  and  ears  cold;  bowels 
rather  costive.  Next  morning  filly  about  the  same  except  that 
her  temperature  was  103.2  degrees,  and  she  had  eaten  about  a 
double  handful  of  mash  and  drank  half  a  pail  of  water.  In  the 
evening  about  the  same.  Next  morning  temperature  105.4  ^^- 
grees,  breathing  worse,  discharge  from  nostrils  mixed  with  blood. 
As  the  filly  was  a  very  bad  specimen  of  a  race-hor.se,  being  small 
and  weedy,  I,  with  the  consent  of  the  owner,  killed  her." 

Judging  from  the  advanced  stage  to  which  the  disea.se  had 
attained,  as  evidenced  by  the  condition  of  the  piece  of  lung  we 
received,  there  is  very  little  doubt  that  Mr.  Leach  was  called  in 
some  days  after  the  animal  was  taken  ill,  and  in  con.sequence  the 
opportunities  of  effecting  a  cure  were  considerably  reduced,  and 
Mr.  Leach  was  severely  handicapped  in  his  treatment  thereb}-. 

Mr.  Leach  does  not  consider  the  disea.se  so  very  fatal  as  the 
sporting  papers  would  in  the  past  have  led  us  to  believe,  and  he 
considers  that  on  an  average  of  several  years  a  lo.ss  of  five  or  six 
per  cent,  would  fairly  represent  deaths  from  '' Nezvtnarket  Fever;'' 
moriiover,  he  is,  from  past  experience,  of  opinion  that  most  cases 
recover  rapidly  and  the  animals  do  not  appear  any  worse  after- 
wards, unless  they  be  such  bad  cases  as  the  one  before  referred  to, 
when  they  frequently  go  roarers,  or  as  we  should  describe  it,  they 
make  a  noise,  to  distinguish  a  lung  affection  from  that  of  the 
larynx.  Although  we  cannot  claim  to  have  had  any  experience 
of  cases  of  the  local  form  of  the  disease,  we  have  had  our  fair 
share  in  other  places  of  cases  that  are  doubtless,  pathologically, 
the  same  disease,  hence  our  reason  for  venturing  to  give  a  sug- 


NEWMARKET    FEVER.  131 

gestion  that  the  disease  is  realh'  septic  pleuro-pneumonia.  By 
Mr.  lycach's  invitation  we  gave  him  our  idea  of  the  line  of  treat- 
ment such  a  case  would  call  for,  and  it  was  as  follows:  In  the  first 
place  Aconite  3X  a  dose  every  two  or  three  hours  would  have  been 
the  first  remedy  when  called  in,  to  be  followed,  after  three  doses, 
by  Bryonia  3X;  if,  as  was  the  case  with  Mr.  Leach,  the  mucous 
discharge  from  the  nostrils  ultimately  became  colored  with  blood, 
our  remedy  would  certainly  have  been  Phosphoriis  -^\-^^,  and  had 
the  symptoms  of  septic  poisoning  supervened  Lachesis  5  would 
have  been  resorted  to.  The  reason  which,  in  our  judgment, 
accounts  for  cases  of  this  sort  becoming  ill  at  all,  is  not  that  it  is 
of  an  infectious  character,  but  that  it  owes  its  development  to  an 
over-heated  atmosphere  of  the  stable  which  is  supercharged  with 
effete  material  emanating  from  the  breath  of  the  horses;  and 
when  these  cases  develop  typhoid  or  septic  characteristics  it  is  due 
to  a  lack  of  good  sanitation  and  hj'giene:  the  stables  are  over- 
crowded according  to  the  cubic  area,  and  the  ventilation  at  the 
best  is  always  imperfect  and  very  generally,  actuall}'  faulty. 
With  all  due  deference  to  Mr.  Leach's  opinion  we  are  unable  to 
agree  with  him  that  animals  the  subject  of  this  disease  rapidly  get 
well;  doubtless  from  Mr.  Leach's  experience,  it  is  so  at  New- 
market, but  not  in  London  and  Liverpool,  which  are  the  places 
where  our  cases  were  located.  Further,  our  opinion  is  that  in 
patients  whose  lungs  the  disease  has  invaded  pretty  thoroughly, 
the  chance  of  rendering  them  useful,  at  all  events  for  fast  work,  is 
remote  under  Allopathy;  but  wnth  such  homoeopathic  remedies  as 
Bryonia,  Phosphorus  and  Arsenicum  album  the  prospects  are 
bright  and  promising,  and  it  behoves  owners  of  flat  racers, 
steeple  chasers  and  trotters,  if  they  would  save  their  animals  from 
developing  into  "  Jlfusiciafis'''  after  being  the  subjects  of  inflam- 
mation of  the  lungs  or  bronchitis  to  see  to  it  that  they  are  pulled 
through  the  illness  with  this  sort  of  treatment. 


DISEASES  OF  CIRCULATORY  SYSTEM. 


Before  entering  upon  a  consideration  of  the  diseases  which  affect 
the  different  parts  that  go  to  make  up  the  circulatory  system,  by 
means  of  and  through  which  the  blood  traverses  the  body,  an  at- 
tempt must  be  made  to  explain  of  what  these  parts  consist  and 
how  the  function  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood  is  maintained  and 
carried  on.  In  order  to  keep  up  that  regular  and  constant  flow  of 
blood  through  all  the  intricate  channels  of  the  animal  frame  that 
is  necessary  for  the  maintenance  of  life  and  health,  it  will  be  ap- 
parent that  some  force  or  driving  power  is  an  essential  requi.site;^ 
without  such  force  it  would  be  no  more  possible  that  the  body  of 
fluid,  which  is  represented  in  the  animal  body  b}'  blood,  could  be 
kept  constantly  and  regularly  flowing  than  that  a  number  of  rail- 
way carriages  can  be  kept  moving  without  the  power  generated  in 
the  engine  by  means  of  steam;  the  weight  of  the  fluid  demands  a 
propelling  power  to  keep  the  same  in  motion.  The  engine  which 
keeps  the  blood  flowing  is  the  heart;  this  organ  is  situate  in  the 
cavity  where  the  lungs  are  located,  and  its  position  is  intermediate 
between  the  two  lungs,  rather  nearer  the  front  than  the  back  of 
the  chest;  the  heart  is  covered  externally  by  a  very  fine  mem- 
brane called  the  pericardium,  which  has  a  smooth  surface  out- 
wardly, so  that  it  may  glide  easily  against  the  outer  surface  of  the 
lungs,  already  described  as  the  pleura.  The  heart  is  divided  into 
four  compartments  or  chambers,  two  above,  called  auricles,  and 
two  below,  called  ventricles;  an  auricle  over  a  ventricle  on  the 
right  side,  which  communicate  with  one  another  by  orifices  that  can 
be  closed  by  means  of  valves,  and  the  same  on  the  left  side  of  the 
heart.  In  connection  with  the  heart  there  are  sets  of  tubes  which 
convey  the  blood  away;  the  first  is  that  which  passes  the  blood 
from  the  right  ventricle  through  the  capillaries  of  the  lungs  that 
the  blood  may  come  in  contact  with  the  fresh-air  passage  in  and 
out  as  the  animal  breathes,  in  order  that  it  may  be  purified;  it 
then  returns  through  the  pulmonary  veins  back   into   the   left 

132 


DISEASES  OF  THE  CIRCULATORY  SYSTEM.  1 33 

auricle  of  the  heart,  and  from  this  into  the  left  ventricle,  directly 
under  it,  in  connection  with  which  is  the  largest  blood  tube  of  the 
bod}-,  called  the  aorta;  from  this  large  tube  branches,  called 
arteries,  divide  and  subdivide  to  the  various  parts  and  organs  of 
the  body;  these  arteries  or  branches  of  the  aorta  in  the  course  of 
their  distribution  over  the  system  become  so  small  and  fine  that 
the  name  capillaries  has  been  given  to  them ;  in  the  course  of  its 
passage  through  these  capillaries  the  blood  undergoes  considerable 
change,  as  ma}'  be  noted  from  the  alteration  in  color;  from  a  vivid 
bright  red  it  becomes  dark  or  blue  red,  and  having  thus  done  its 
work  it  becomes  necessary  to  return  it  to  the  heart  to  be  repurified, 
and  so  it  passes  from  the  capilliaries  into  the  veins,  which  in  turn 
become  gradually  larger  and  larger,  until  the  w^hole  stream  is  col- 
lected into  two  large  tubes  which  empty  themselves  again  into  the 
right  auricle  of  the  heart,  and  here  the  round  of  circulation  begins 
once  more.  The  heart  itself  consists  of  muscular  walls  of  varying 
thickness,  and  by  means  of  the  contractile  powers  of  these  muscu- 
lar walls,  which  are  stimulated  to  action  by  the  nervous  system, 
the  blood  is  propelled  into  the  arteries,  thence  through  the  capil- 
laries and  back  again  through  the  veins;  each  time  the  heart  con- 
tracts a  certain  quantity  of  blood  is  driven  forcibly  into  the  aorta, 
and  that  which  is  expelled  at  one  contraction  forces  further  on 
that  quantity  which  preceded  it,  and  so  on  as  each  contraction  ful- 
fils its  work,  until  continuous  pressure  on  the  whole  stream  is  kept 
up  from  behind,  and  so  the  circulation  is  maintained;  it  is  con- 
sidered that  the  walls  of  the  arteries  by  means  of  their  elastic 
recoil  contribute  some  force  to  aid  the  heart  in  the  performance  of 
its  function;  the  arteries  are  open  tubes  with  no  internal  obstacles 
to  the  flow  of  blood,  and  their  w^alls  consist  of  muscular  and 
elastic  fibres  which  expand  as  the  heart  contracts  and  forces  blood 
into  them;  while  during  the  pause  which  takes  place  when  the 
heart  is  momentarily  at  rest,  in  consequence  of  there  being  no 
pressure,  recoil  of  the  elastic  fibres  takes  place  and  in  this  way 
the  blood  is  kept  in  motion.  The  veins  assist  the  circulation 
through  the  medium  of  cup-shaped  valves,  which  are  attached  to 
their  inner  walls;  the  object  of  these  being  to  prevent  the  blood 
from  receding  or  moving  backwards;  during  the  period  of  con- 
traction, when  the  blood  is  being  forced  on  in  its  proper  direction, 
these  cup-shaped  valves  lie  flat  against  the  wall  of  the  veins,  and 


134  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY, 

leave  a  free  onward  course  for  the  blood;  but  during  the  interval 
of  rest,  between  the  heart  contractions,  when  the  blood  would 
otherwise  recede  backward,  they  fill  out  and  so  offer  a  complete 
barrier  to  a  backward  motion. 

It  will  thus  be  clear  that  any  interference  with  the  healthy  con- 
ditions of  the  walls  of  the  heart,  or  with  the  valves  that  divide  one 
compartment  of  the  organ  from  another,  or  yet  again,  with  the 
arteries  or  veins,  must  of  necessity  serioush'  impede  the  regu- 
lar and  continuous  flow  of  blood  through  the  system.  At  the 
same  time  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  any  obstruction  to  the 
maintenance  of  a  regular  and  continuous  circulation  of  the  vital 
fluid  cannot  be  other  than  seriously  detrimental  to  health,  bearing 
which  in  mind,  we  shall  proceed  to  consider  the  various  phases  of 
disorder  to  which  the  heart  and  its  subsidiary  conduits  or  tubes 
are  liable.  We  are  strongly  of  opinion  that  in  the  horse  the  heart 
is  the  seat  of  disease  far  oftener  than  is  generally  admitted;  several 
prominent  cases  have  come  under  our  notice  in  which  valuable 
racehorses,  whose  running  in  public  was  altogether  inexplicable, 
were  the  subjects  of  heart  disease,  with  reference  to  which,  had 
they  been  professionally  examined  with  a  view  to  determine  the 
state  of  this  organ,  it  is  highly  probable  there  would  have  been  no 
difficulty  in  determining  what  was  really  wrong;  as  it  was,  all 
sorts  of  reasons  were  assigned  for  the  failure  of  these  aniiiials  to 
win  races  which  were  considered  on  some  of  their  form  to  be  abso- 
lutely at  their  mercy;  some  attributed  their  "  shutting  up  "  in  the 
middle  of  a  race  to  temper,  others  to  the  belief  that  they  were 
"  non-stayers  " — the  fact  really  being  that  the  valves  of  the  heart 
were  diseased  and  were  therefore  vmable  to  properl}'  fulfill  their 
functions;  the  heart  itself,  in  consequence,  was  overloaded  with 
blood,  and  a  sense  of  suffocation  experienced  which  absolutely  de- 
prived the  animals  of  the  power  to  keep  up  top  speed  for  the  nec- 
essary distance;  ultimately  each  of  these  horses  died  suddenly,  one 
of  them  just  after  he  had  passed  the  winning  post,  to  the  imminent 
risk  of  the  jocke}^  who  fortunateh^  however,  escaped  with  nothing 
more  serious  than  a  severe  shaking;  these  facts,  however,  go  to 
prove  that  the  possibility  of  heart  disease,  even  when  health  gen- 
erally appears  good,  should  not  be  overlooked.  The  methods  of  ex- 
amination to  determine  whether  the  organ  is  affected  or  not  cannot, 
in  the  case  of  a  layman,  be  other  than  very  restricted;  at  the  same 


DISEASES  OF  THE  CIRCULATORY  SYSTEM.  1 35 

time,  we  hope  to  be  able  to  suggest  such  methods  of  procedure  as 
shall  at  least  be  sufficient  to  arouse  suspicion,  which  it  would  be 
well  afterwards  to  have  confirmed,  by  an  experienced  veterinarian; 
but  here  we  must  draw  attention  to  the  fact  that  among  allopaths 
the  treatment  of  heart  disease  is  well-nigh  exclusively  confined  to 
the  administration  of  tonics,  with  a  view  to  the  building  up  of  the 
constitution  generally,  and  to  the  ultimate  throwing  off  the  heart 
disease  as  the  result  thereof;  they  do  not  recognize  the  possibility 
of  specific  drug  action  upon  the  various  morbid  conditions  affect- 
ing the  organ  or  any  of  its  constituent  anatomical  parts;  in  this 
the  homoeopath  has  a  distinct  advantage,  as  will  be  seen  when  we 
deal  with  the  subject  of  treatment. 

Physical  examination  of  an  animal  to  detect  heart  disease  is 
conducted  by  "palpation,''  that  is,  applying  the  hand  over  the 
region  of  the  heart  to  feel,  if  possible,  the  character  of  the  im- 
pulse; or,  better  still,  by  "  auscultation,'"  namely,  listening  to  the 
heart's  sounds  with  the  naked  ear  or  by  the  application  of  an  in- 
strument known  as  the  stethoscope;  in  order  to  do  this  satisfac- 
torily the  ear  or  the  stethoscope  must  be  applied  directly  over  the 
space  in  the  chest,  nearest  to  which  the  heart  approaches,  which 
is  discovered  by  lifting  up  the  near  foreleg,  pulling  the  same 
straightforward,  and  selecting  the  lowest  part  of  the  chest  as  far 
forward  as  the  extended  leg  will  allow,  where  the  muscles  over 
the  ribs  are  the  least  thick;  in  this  position  the  sounds  of  the  heart 
will  be  distinctly  observable,  and  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  detect- 
ing any  irregularities,  always  bearing  in  mind  that  for  every  con- 
traction of  the  heart,  which  is  equivalent  to  one  beat  of  the  pulse 
when  the  same  is  felt  in  an  artery,  there  are  two  sounds  which 
maybe  expressed  by  the  words  " //^i^i^  «'/(' (5/"  one — the  first — soft 
and  prolonged,  the  other — the  second — short  and  sharp;  the  first 
sound  is  the  result  of  the  driving  of  the  blood  from  the  auricles 
into  the  ventricles,  and  is  produced  b}'  the  closing  of  the  valves 
which  serve  to  divide  the  two  upper  compartments,  the  auricles, 
from  the  two  lower  compartments,  the  ventricles;  the  second, 
short,  sharp  sound  is  due  in  like  manner  to  the  valves  which  close 
the  outlets  of  the  ventricles,  namely,  the  artery  which  leads  to  the 
lungs,  and  the  aorta,  or  large  tube,  which  conveys  the  blood  all 
over  the  body.  At  this  point  we  should  strongly  recommend  any 
one  who  desires  to  turn  to  good  account  what  follows,  to  practice 


136  VETERINARY    HOMEOPATHY. 

on  a  healthy  horse,  in  order  to  become  acquainted,  as  far  as  it  is 
possible,  with  the  normal  heart  sounds;  in  this  way  experience 
will  be  obtained  that  will  enable  one  the  more  readily  to  detect 
abnormal  sounds  and  movements. 

Disturbance  of  the  heart's  action  is  due  to  two  distinct  causes, 
namely,  first  to  interference  with  the  healthy  performance  of  its 
functions  which  arises  from  a  want  of  balance  in  the  nerve  supph^ 
and  also  from  irregularities  of  the  digestive  organs;  and  second,  to 
organic  and  structural  alteration,  such  as  thickening  or  thinning 
of  the  muscular  walls  of  the  heart;  dilatation  or  lessening  of  the 
cavities  in  size;  thickening  of  the  valves  due  to  inflammation  of 
the  serous  membrane  which  lines  the  cavities  and  covers  the 
valves. 

PALPITATION. 

It  will  be  well  to  give  some  careful  attention  to  the  considera- 
tion of  this  disorder,  because  we  believe  that  among  the  higher- 
bred  class  of  horses,  especially  those  kept  for  racing  purposes, 
owners  and  trainers  frequently  erroneously  attribute  the  failure  of 
their  charges  to  defective  respiration,  whereas  the  weak  spot  is 
the  heart;  palpitation  comes  under  the  category  of  a  functional 
disorder,  and  may  therefore  be  the  more  easily  controlled,  if  the 
right  measures  are  resorted  to.  '  Blood  horses  are  of  essentially 
excitable  and  highly-nervous  temperaments,  which  fact  alone  is 
sufficient  to  account  for  many  cases  of  palpitation,  and  although 
verv  little  importance  has  hitherto  attached  to  cardiac  diseases 
among  the  great  number  of  the  veterinary  profession,  we  have  no 
hesitation  in  affirming  that  palpitation  occurs  much  more  fre- 
quently among  highly-bred  horses  than  is  generally  acknowledged. 
This  want  of  recognition  may  probably  be  accounted  for  by  the 
fact  that  a  liorse  may  be  the  subject  of  it  and  yet  keep  up  the 
appearance  of  an  animal  in  the  bloom  of  health,  betraying  no  out- 
ward and  visible  signs  of  weakness  beyond  hurried  breathing  after 
a  sharp  gallop;  under  such  circumstances  trainers  and  owners,  who 
do  not  possess  even  an  elementary  acquaintance  with  physiology, 
would  naturally  attribute  this  to  the  wind,  and  inasmuch  as  these 
gentlemen  are,  as  a  rule,  very  well  contented  to  rely  upon  their 
own  knowledge,  the  real  truth  never  comes  out;  and,  though  we 
regret  to  have  to  state  the  opinion,  we  fear  that  not  a  few  profes- 


PALPITATION.  137 

sional  veterinarians  might  also  overlook  the  cause,  unless  particu- 
larly requested  to  make  a  most  careful  examination  for  a  client 
who  did  not  object  to  pay  a  suitable  fee  for  the  extra  special  at- 
tention such  cases  demand.  Whatever  may  be  the  exciting  cause 
of  the  palpitation,  it  is  characterized  by  increased  frequency  in 
and  force  of  the  heart's  contractions,  at  times  so  tumultuous  that 
it  is  well-nigh  impossible  to  distinguish  the  beat;  the  breathing  is 
urgent,  rapid  and  difficult  of  performance;  the  pulse  beats  are  also 
irregular  and  sometimes  intermittent,  by  which  we  mean  that  a 
certain  number  of  beats  follow  on  one  another  with  equal  rapidity 
and  interval;  then  a  pause  takes  place,  as  though  the  heart  had 
ceased  acting,  when  the  beats  are  renewed  again  for  several  times, 
followed  by  another  pause,  and  so  on.  The  horse  will  break  out 
into  a  cold  sweat;  stands  with  forelegs  wide  apart  tottering  and 
shaking  as  though  he  would  fall;  in  the  worst  cases  syncope  (or 
a  fainting  fit)  comes  on,  when  those  who  do  not  know  better,  fail 
to  recognize  the  real  cause  and  attribute  it  to  a  form  of  brain  dis- 
ease known  as  ''^ staggers." 

Treatment. — Aconite  3X. — No  remedy  in  the  Pharmacopoeia 
exercises  so  marked  an  influence  on  the  circulation  as  Aconite,  and 
in  such  cases  as  those  where  the  heart  is  tired  out  by  excess  of 
work  or  effort  to  work,  as  in  palpitation,  this  remedy  is  generally 
capable  of  producing  a  restoration  to  calm  and  rest;  moreover,  it 
is  specially  indicated  if  the  existing  cause  is  in  any  measure 
associated  with  rheumatism. 

Moschus  IX. — In  extreme  case  of  palpitation,  where  the  nervous 
excitement  is  very  considerable  and  the  body  becomes  cold,  this 
will  be  found  an  exceptionally  useful  remedy. 

Acid  hydrocyanicnm  3X  may  be  administered  with  great  advan- 
tage in  cases  that  do  not  assume  symptoms  of  an  extra  acute  char- 
acter; where  palpitation  is  attended  with  a  weak  and  rather  slow 
pulse,  and  a  tendency  to  fainting  marked  by  difficult  breathing, 
with  an  obstinate  refusal  to  take  food,  this  will  be  found  useful. 

Cactus grandijtor-us  ix. — This  remedy  may  be  styled  the  analogue 
of  Aconite,  and  by  some  authors  it  is  credited  with  taking  the  palm 
over  that  remedy  in  diseases  of  the  heart;  indeed,  there-is  hardly 
any  morbid  condition  affecting  the  organ  that  it  does  not  take  an 
active  part  in  ameliorating,  from  nervous  palpitation  to  obstruct-- 
ural  change  arising  from  acute  inflammation;    there  is  one  leading 


138  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

symptom  that  suggests  its  selection  for  the  human  subject,  namely, 
a  feeling  "  as  if  the  heart  zvere  grasped  and  compressed  zuith  an  iron 
hand;'''  as  a  horse  cannot  explain  by  word  of  mouth  that  such  a 
symptom  is  experienced  it  is  hardly  possible  to  avail  of  it;  at  the 
same  time,  if  there  is  reason  to  suspect  heart  disease  and  the  ani- 
mal suddenly  assumes  a  rigid  posture,  and,  as  it  were,  holds  itself 
in  one  position  for  a  few  seconds,  or  even  minutes,  it  would  be  a 
fair  assumption  that  some  such  feeling  as  that  indicated  was  ex- 
perienced, and  by  inference  one  would  be  certainly  justified  in 
administering  Cactus  grand,  in  the  hope  of  furnishing  relief. 

Among  the  diseases  which  affect  the  vital  organ  are  pericarditis, 
or  inflammation  of  the  fine  serous  membrane  which  invests  or 
clothes  the  heart,  and  dropsy  of  this  membrane,  but  as  both  are 
exceedingly  rare,  we  shall  pass  on  to  hypertrophy,  or  dilatation  of 
the  heart,  which  is  doubtless  of  more  frequent  occurrence  in  the 
horse. 

ENI.ARGEMENT  OR  DII^ATATION  OF  THE  HEART. 

By  this  designation  we  mean  that  the  walls  of  the  heart  are 
increased  in  thickness  and  the  cavities  of  the  organ  are  proportion- 
ally larger;  at  the  same  time  while  we  intend  dealing  with  this 
particular  form  of  alteration  in  structure,  we  must  explain  in 
passing  that  it  is  possible  for  the  walls  of  the  heart  to  be  thick- 
ened without  any  corresponding  increase  in  the  size  of  the  cavi- 
ties; and  at  the  same  time  for  the  cavities  of  the  heart  to  be  con- 
siderably increased  in  calibre  without  any  alteration  of  bulk  in  the 
muscular  walls;  hypertrophy  with  dilatation  is  more  frequently 
observed  in  horses  and  therefore  we  select  this  form  of  structural 
change  for  treatment. 

It  is  also  necessary  to  observe  in  passing  that  all  the  compart- 
ments of  the  heart  are  not  equally  susceptible  of  this  structural 
alteration,  indeed  it  is  only  fair  to  state  that  the  left  ventricle  is 
more  often  affected  than  either  of  the  other  three  divisions  of  the 
organ;  a  fact  that  is  due  possibly  to  the  strain  put  upon  this  com- 
partment in  driving  on  the  main  volume  of  blood  over  the  general 
system;  and  so  long  as  the  thickening  of  the  walls  of  the  heart 
keep  pace  with  the  dilatation  or  enlargement  of  the  cavities,  the 
impairment  of  function  will  not  be  so  observable;  it  is  when  the 
size  of  the  cavities  is  out  of  proportion  with  the  thickness  of  the 


ENLARGEMENT  OR  DILATATION  OF  THE  HEART.  I  39 

muscular  walls  that  the  disease  fully  declares  itself;  presumably 
because  the  heart  has  a  capacity  for  taking  in  more  blood  at  one 
time  than  the  walls  have  the  power  to  drive  on  through  the  arter- 
ial system;  consequently  the  impulse  of  the  heart  becomes  weaker 
and  the  weight  of  the  vital  fluid  is  too  much  for  it  to  overcome; 
hence  the  circulation  becomes  slow  and  torpid,  and  the  blood 
regurgitates,  a  phenomenon  that  is  readily  discernable  by  that 
peculiar  backward  movement  in  the  jugular  veins  that  may  fre- 
quently be  seen  along  the  groove  in  the  horse's  neck  formed 
mainly  by  the  windpipe;  when  this  pulsation  in  the  veins  is 
observed,  attention  should  at  once  be  directed  to  the  heart,  be- 
cause it  is  essentially  an  abnormal  condition,  the  pulse  never 
occurring  among  veins  in  health. 

Among  the  causes  to  which  dilatation  of  the  heart  are  attribut- 
able, are  frequent  overexertion,  such  as  occurs  among  horses  sub- 
jected to  severe  training  for  long-distance  races,  and  hunters  or 
steeple-chasers;  it  must  not  be  understood  from  this  that  we 
consider  horses  incapable  of  being  prepared  for  this  sort  of  work, 
but  the  consequences  are  attributable  to  the  fact  that  the  prepara- 
tion goes  on  and  is  persisted  in  when  the  animals  are  not  fit  to 
undergo  work  demanding  so  serious  a  strain  upon  the  vital  organ; 
were  this  fact  recognized  at  the  proper  time  and  suitable  measures 
adopted  to  remedy  the  temporary  weakness,  the  animal's  consti- 
tution would  recover  its  natural  vigor,  and  the  requisite  course  of 
training  and  preparation  could  be  conducted  without  any  subse- 
quent ill-effects,  nay  more,  the  very  work  itself  would  tend  to 
render  the  horse  more  hardy  and  capable  of  taking  his  own  part 
in  the  field  or  between  the  flags  in  a  satisfactory  manner. 

A  further  cause  of  dilatation  arises  from  some  obstruction  to 
the  free  and  natural  circulation  of  the  blood  which  may  be  due  to 
defect  in  the  valves  of  the  heart  or  the  large  arteries,  also  to  dis- 
eases of  the  lungs  and  kidneys  which  give  rise  to  some  impediment 
in  the  circulation  by  reason  of  an  alteration  in  the  tissues  of  these 
organs.  When  the  dilatation  of  the  heart  increases  while  the 
walls  become  thinner,  the  power  to  drive  on  the  blood  is  reduced 
and  consequently  the  pulse  is  weak,  slower  than  normal  and  the 
beat  is  prolonged;  the  beats  become  irregular  and  intermittent 
(the  meaning  of  the  latter  word  has  already  been  explained) ;  the 
.  breathing  becomes  difficult ;  the  legs  do  not  maintain  their  natural 


140  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

warmth,  and  at  times  are  absolutely  cold;  the  legs  also  swell  and' 
symptoms  of  dropsy  present  themselves  along  the  abdomen  and 
under  the  chest;  the  pulsation  of  the  jugular  veins  is  generally 
observable,  and  the  animal  is  weak  and  altogether  wanting  in 
spirit  and  energy. 

Arsenicum  allncm  3X  should  be  given  three  times  a  day  in  doses 
of  ten  grains;  and  especially  when  the  dropsical  condition  is  ex- 
hibited; it  serves  to  give  tone  to  the  muscular  walls  and  relieves 
the  urgent  breathing. 

Cactus grandijiorus  ix. — When  hypertrophy  (or  thickening  of 
the  walls  of  the  heart)  is  present  in  more  marked  degree,  the  pulse 
differs  in  character  from  that  when  dilatation  predominates;  the 
impulse  of  the  beat  is  increased  and  is  much  stronger;  the  sounds, 
especially  the  second  one  produced  by  the  blood  passing  into  the 
aorta,  are  intensified  and  instead  of  the  short,  sharp  ''dub'"  are 
more  of  a  ringing,  metallic  character;  under  these  circumstances 
Cactus  grand,  is  the  more  suitable  remedy. 

Digitalis  3x. — The  circumstances  under  which  this  remedy  has 
been  found  effective  are  when  the  pulse  is  weak,  irrregular,  inter- 
mittent and  the  quantity  of  urine  passed  is  much  less  than  is  usual 
in  ordinary  health;  the  oedema  or  swelling  sometimes  observable 
on  the  under  surface  of  the  chest  and  abdomen  may  also  be  in- 
cluded as  one  of  the  indications  for  this  drug. 

VARIOUS  CARDIAC  INFLAMMATIONS. 


CARDITIS,  ENDOCARDITIS,  VALVULITIS. 

In  endeavoring  to  deal  with  the  effect  of  inflammation  upon  the 
various  parts  of  the  vital  organ  we  must  first  remind  our  readers 
that  the  heart  consists  of  muscular  walls,  which  are  lined  both  ex- 
ternally and  internally  with  a  special  form  of  membrane,  and  that 
the  internal  membrane  extends  over  the  valves;  to  properly  appre- 
ciate this  fact  we  advise  one  and  all  who  desire  to  master  the  details 
(which  though  difficult  to  explain  we  are  compelled  to  refer  to  in 
language  that  is  doubtless  rather  vague  to  those  who  have  never 
studied  anatomy),  to  obtain  from  the  slaughterer's  a  horse's  heart; 
first  examine  it  carefully  as  a  whole,  then  cut  it  open  from  top  to 
bottom;  in  this  way  it  will  be  rendered  clear  what  is  meant  by  the 


VARIOUS    CARDIAC    INFLAMMATIONS.  I4I 

various  divisions  or  compartments,  valves,  outlets  and  inlets,  and 
the  ocular  demonstration  will  no  doubt  render  it  easier  to  distin- 
guish between  the  different  parts  already  frequently  referred  to 
and  to  be  alluded  to  hereafter.      By  carditis  is  meant  inflammation 
of  the  substance  of  the  muscular  walls;  it  is  derived  from  the 
Latin  word  cardis,   which   means  heart;    endocarditis  is  a   term 
which  implies  inflammation  of  the  endocardium  (or  internal  lining 
membrane)  of  the  organ;  it  consists  of  a  very  fine,  glazed,  fibrous 
membrane,  which  with  care  may  be  peeled  off  the  muscular  walls. 
Valvulitis  indicates  that  the  inflammation  has  attacked  the  fine 
membrane  which  extends  ov-er  and  covers  the  valves.     By  some 
authorities  on  equine  medicine,  notably  the  late  Professor  Robert- 
son, it  is  considered  that  the  horse  is  rarel}^  the  subject  of  these 
inflammations  as  independent  diseases;  whether  this  is  absolutely 
the  case  we  are  not  prepared  to  say,  but  that  they  do  occur,  and 
that  not  infrequently,  we  are  satisfied;  and  whether  arising  inde- 
pendently or  in  association  with  some  other  morbid  condition,  they 
are  sufficiently  pronounced  to  demand  our  careful  attention;  more- 
over, if  the  totality  of  the  symptoms  serv'es  as  a  guide  in  the  selec- 
tion of  a  drug,  both  those  of  the  heart  and  the  associated  disease, 
if  there  be  any,  will  3  ield  to  the  action  of  such  drug;  hence  there 
is  no  necessity  to  be  so  careful  in  distinguishing  between  inde- 
pendent and  associated  disease.     Horses  are  frequently  the  sub- 
jects of  rheumatism,  and  as  there  would  appear  to  be  some  inti- 
mate relation  between  that  disease  and  the  internal  membrane 
lining,  the  heart  and  valves,  there  need  be  no  great  wonder  if 
horses  are  affected  in  the  heart.     We  have  already'  pointed  out 
that  thickening  and  dilatation  of  the  walls  of  the  heart  is  unques- 
tionabh-  due  to  overexertion  or  to  long-continued  exertion  that 
makes  excessive  demands  upon  the  organ  which  has  to  pump  the 
blood  over  the  whole  bod\-;  bearing  in  mind,  therefore,  these  two 
facts,  nameh',  the  susceptibility  to  rheumatism  and  the  possible 
consequences  upon  the  heart,  and  the  liability  to  organic  altera- 
tion in  the  structure  of  that  organ  in  consequence  of  overstrain  in. 
the  performance  of  its  functions,  the  view  that  we  hold  regarding 
the  probable  combination  of  all  these  conditions  in  one  subject 
does  not  seem  unreasonable.    There  is  an  appendage  to  the  valves 
of  the  heart  which  has  not  been  referred  to,  which  might  strike 
anyone  making  a  careful  inspection  of  a  heart  as  a  careless  omis- 


142  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

sioii  OH  our  part;  we  refer  to  the  string-like  chords  which  are  at- 
tached at  one  end  to  the  margins  of  the  valves  and  10  the  other  at 
the  walls  of  the  heart;  they  are  called  chordae  tendinae;  these 
chords  are  found  in  the  ventricles  of  the  heart;  those  parts  of  the 
walls  to  which  they  are  attached  are  irregular  in  surface  and 
rounded,  the  object  of  which  is  supposed  to  ba  the  drawing  tight 
of  the  said  chords  during  the  period  of  the  heart's  contraction, 
and  by  means  of  these  chords  the  segments  (or  parts)  of  the 
valves  are  kept  in  apposition,  so  that  the  orifice  is  left  open  or 
closed  according  to  the  functional  requirements;  these  chords  are 
clothed  with  a  membrane  similar  in  quality  to  that  of  the  valves, 
and  may  in  like  manner  be  affected  by  inflammation  and  thus 
rendered  incapable  of  performing  their  duties  in  a  satisfactory 
manner.  The  defective  action  of  the  valves  results  sometimes  in 
a  backward  flow  of  the  blood,  which  produces  that  venous  pulse 
sometimes  observed  in  the  jugular  veins,  which  pass  down  the 
well-known  grooves  in  a  horse's  neck;  at  other  times  to  an  accu- 
mulation of  blood  in  the  ventricles,  and  yet  again  in  the  lungs. 

The  symptoms  are  not  easy  of  recognition  whereby  any  one  or 
more  of  these  morbid  conditions  can  be  definitely  fixed  upon, 
except  by  experts  who  have  made  the  sounds  and  sensations 
characteristic  of  the  same  their  special  study;  therefore,  we  shall 
not  pretend  to  enumerate  them  here;  but  satisfy  ourselves  by 
dealing  with  the  more  general  indications  for  the  selection  of 
drugs  under  the  head  of 

Treatment. — Aconite  3X  in  this,  as  in  a  large  proportion  of 
inflammatory  diseases,  comes  first  and  foremost;  and  without 
attempting  to  argue  from  a  physiological  standpoint  as  to  the  why 
and  wherefore  of  the  action  of  Aconite  upon  the  circulatory  sys- 
tem, we  satisfy  ourselves  with  the  broad  and  possibly  very  unscien- 
tific advice  that  horsemen  who  know  nothing  from  a  professional 
standpoint  of  drug  action,  can  certainly  never  do  wrong  by  admin- 
istering a  few  drops  of  Aconite,  whatever  may  be  the  peculiar 
morbid  condition  where  the  heart  is  affected,  watch  the  result, 
and  if  not  satisfactory,  resort  can  then  be  had  to  other  remedies 
according  to  the  symptoms  indicated;  but  we  shall  not  err  on  the 
side  of  caution  if  we  suggest  some  of  the  more  leading  symptoms 
indicating  the  selection  of  Aconite,  or  its  active  principle  Aconltine; 
the  association  of  acute  rheumation   (the  symptoms  for  which 


VARIOUS    CARDIAC    INFLAMMATIONS.  1 43 

must  be  looked  for  in  the  chapter  on  that  disease),  always  con- 
nects Aconite  with  diseases  of  the  heart;  w^hen  the  impulse  of  the 
heart  is  increased  and  the  pulse  at  the  jaw  is  full,  bounding  and 
rapid  the  same  conclusion  is  arrived  at;  exhaustion  and  distress 
accompanied  by  palpitation  point  to  Aconite;  it  will  be  thus  seen 
that  the  conditions  vary,  but  the  drug  is  a  far-reaching  one  and  at 
the  same  time  an  exceedingly  reliable  friend  in  circumstances  of 
extreme  urgency. 

Aetata  racemosa  ix. — In  breeding  establishments  or  in  stables 
where  mares  are  kept,  this  is  a  valuable  remedy  because  of  the 
intimate  relation  which  seem  to  exist  between  it  and  the  female 
system;  it  is  well-known  that  a  remarkable  sympathy  exists  at 
times  between  the  uterus  (womb)  and  the  heart;  take  a  mare 
that  is  with  foal  or  has  recently  had  a  foal,  or  one  in  work  whose 
-sexual  desires  have  been  excited,  and  she  becomes  the  subject  of 
an  attack  of  rheumatism;  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  for  these  two 
organs,  the  uterus  and  the  heart  to  be  the  two  chief  seats  upon 
which  the  poison  of  rheumatism  expends  its  force;  its  influence 
upon  the  heart  may  be  recognized  by  the  outward  manifestations 
already  so  many  times  referred  to;  should  the  uterus  be  also  im- 
plicated the  mare  will  give  evidence  of  pain  by  turning  her  head 
to  the  side,  prostrating  herself  for  a  stretch  with  the  hind  legs, 
uneasiness,  unwillingness  to  lie  down,  the  urine  will  be  high- 
colored  and  diminished  in  quantity,  together  with  the  ordinary 
febrile  symptoms  indicated  under  rheumatism,  when  this  remedy 
may  be  relied  upon  to  afford  relief. 

Arse7iicum  album  3X. — While  Aconite  appears  to  act  upon  the 
blood  and  through  it,  upon  the  circulation  generally.  Arsenic 
would  seem  to  act  directly  upon  the  principal  organ  of  the  system, 
liaving  the  power  to  inflame  not  only  the  muscular  tissue  but  also 
the  endocardium  (or  internal  lining  membrane)  and  therefore  also 
the  valves;  special  symptoms  indicating  its  selection  may  include 
extreme  systemic  prostration ;  a  tendency  to  faint  after  exertion ; 
feebleness  of  the  heart's  action;  pulse  almost  imperceptible;  pal- 
pitation, difficulty  of  breathing;  dropsy  as  indicated  by  swelling 
along  under  part  of  chest  and  abdomen,  with  the  legs. 

Cactus  grandiflorus  ix. — By  some  authorities  the  palm  is  given 
to  this  drug  over  Aconite  in  heart  diseases;  certainly  from  the  ex- 
perience of  those  well  quahfied  to  offer  an  opinion,  it  deserves  to 


144  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

rank  very  high  in  cardiac  disorders;  and  from  some  shght  experi- 
ence of  its  use,  we  can  confirm  the  high  estimate  formed  of  the 
drug  by  those  who  have  submitted  it  to  more  crucial  tests  than  we 
have  had  the  opportunity  of  doing;  so  far  in  our  cases  the  febrile 
symptoms  were  very  pronounced,  shivering  and  sweating  alter- 
nating with  one  another;  the  animals  hang  their  heads  down  as 
though  heavy  and  aching;  considerable  palpitation  and  short,  op- 
pressive breathing  were  very  marked;  there  was  some  diarrhoea, 
and  a  good  deal  of  thick-looking  urine  passed;  Aconite  had  been 
previously  given  in  each  case,  but  was  not  followed  with  the 
usually-expected  result,  while  to  Cactus  grnnd.  all  the  symptoms 
yielded  readily  and  the  normal  action  of  the  heart  was  restored. 
In  Dr.  Hughes'  Pharmacodynamics  the  drug  is  credited  with  the 
exercise  of  beneficial  influence  upon  diseases  ranging  from  nervous 
palpitation  to  inflammation  of  the  organ,  hypertrophy  and  valvu- 
lar disease;  and  we  have  no  doubt  that  Dr.  Hughes  only  claims 
for  Cactus  grand,  what  it  is  quite  capable  of  realizing  under  specific 
conditions;  these  facts,  coming  from  such  an  authority,  and  in 
some  small  degree  confirmed  in  our  own  experience,  only  serve  to 
intensify  the  faith  we  entertain  that  given  the  discovery 
of  the  totality  of  the  symptoms  there  is  absolutely  no 
morbid  condition  affecting  the  animal  system  (human  or 
otherwise)  that  would  not  yield  to  a  horaoeopathically-selected 
drug;  the  fact  that  there  are  so  many  failures  to  effect  cures, 
in  what  some  consider  incurable  cases,  owes  its  existence 
both  in  medical  and  veterinary  practice  to  the  non-recog- 
nition of  the  totality  of  symptoms,  or  to  belief  that  the  changes  of 
structure  that  take  place  in  some  organs  by  reason  of  the  invasiou 
of  inflammation,  are  not  capable  of  restoration  to  either  their  nor- 
mal condition  or  their  original  utility;  our  faith  only  demands  the 
discovery  and  recognition  of  the  totality  of  the  symptoms  to  enable 
drugs  to  effect  anything  in  the  shape  of  restoration  to  health  and 
usefulness. 

Digitalis  IX. — Irregular  and  intermittent  pulse  as  observed  at 
the  artery  that  winds  round  the  under  jaw;  regurgitation  in  the 
jugular  veins;  dropsy,  as  evinced  by  swelling  of  the  legs,  may  be 
accepted  as  the  leading  indications  for  this  drug. 

Spigelia  ix. — A  most  helpful  remedy  in  cardiac  affections  asso- 
ciated with  rheumatism;  moreover,  it  includes  within  the  .sphere 


VARIOUS    CARDIAC    IXFLAM.MATIONS.  1 45 

of  its  action,  the  pericardium  (or  the  membrane  that  clothes  the 
heart  externalh-j  and  the  eyes;  when  the  symptoms  which  draw 
attention  to  the  heart  are  also  accompanied  by  a  weakness  of  the 
eyes,  as  evidenced  by  a  desire  to  avoid  light,  and  the  whites  of 
the  eyes  are  shot  with  red  lines,  a  suggestion  is  before  one  to  re- 
sort to  Spigelia;  and  should  the  patient  be  weak,  thin  and  lifeless, 
another  reason  will  be  added  for  its  selection;  a  capricious  appe- 
tite, constipated  bowels,  rough  coat,  and  general  dullness  are  in- 
cluded in  the  symptomatology. 

Spongia  6x. — This  is  an  essentially  useful  drug  when  the  valves 
of  the  heart  are  affected;  the  associated  symptoms  are  a  rough, 
husky  cough,  painful  palpitation,  extreme  difficulty  in  breathing, 
with  intermittent  periods  of  apparent  suffocation,  during  which 
the  horse  will  stand  with  forelegs  wide  apart,  tottering  at  the 
knees,  as  though  he  would  fall;  after  a  while  this  passes  off  to  be 
repeated  again  in  a  less  intense"  form. 


10 


ATROPHY  OR  WASTING. 


FATTY  DEGENERATION  OF  HEART. 

The  wasting  of  the  muscular  walls  of  the  heart,  it  goes  without 
saying,  ultimately  results  in  a  loss  of  substance,  and  a  general 
thinning,  which  of  course,  renders  them  quite  incapable  of  per- 
forming their  functions ;  it  does  not  follow  that  the  whole  of  the 
organ  shall  become  affected  at  the  same  time,  and  if  one  part  is 
more  frequently  implicated  than  another  it  is  the  auricles  or  upper 
divisions  of  the  heart.  Weakness  and  feeble  pulse  are  the  most 
characteristic  symptoms,  but  it  cannot  be  affirmed  that  these  in 
any  way  help  the  layman  to  discern  the  cause. 

Fatty  degeneration  of  the  muscular  tissues  involves  an  entire 
change  in  the  structure  of  the  organ;  the  fibres  which  constitute 
healthy  muscle  are  softened  and  rendered  incapable  of  strong 
contractile  power,  by  reason  of  the  deposition  of  fat  between  the 
Jayers  of  muscle,  and  in  some  extreme  cases  the  muscular  fibres 
themselves  appear  to  assume  the  appearance  and  qualities  of  fat. 

-For  both  these  conditions  Allopathy  knows  no  remedy ;  and 
inasmuch  as  diagnostic  symptoms  are  conspicuous  by  their  ab- 
sence there  is  not  much  chance  for  Homoeopathy;  but  if  other 
indications  point  to  the  remedy  it  is  believed  that  Phosphorus  -^\-^ 
administered  twice  daily  may  ultimately  arrest  the  destructive 
process,  if  it  does  not  absolutely  aid  in  restoring  the  tissues  to 
their  -healthy  normal  condition.  Much  of  course  will  depend 
upon  the  stage  at  which  the  disease  process  has  arrived. 

ARTERIES. 

The  disease  conditions  affecting  arteries  are  of  two  kinds,  the 
one  known  as  Embolisju,  which  is  due  to  the  formation  of  a  clot 
that  plugs  up  the  artery  and  interferes  with  the  proper  circulation 
of  the  blood;  the  other  as  Aneurism  by  which  is  understood  that 
the  walls  of  the  artery  have  become  diseased  and  expand  over  a 
small  surface  so  as  to  form  a  tumor;  this  may  arise  of  itself  from 

146 


PHLEBITIS.  147 

some  unexplained  cause  or  originate  from  an  injury,  the  coats  of 
the  artery  become  thickened  and  sometimes  calcified  (or  hardened 
by  a  deposit  of  mineral  substance.). 

It  i&  not  an  uncommon  disease  in  the  horse,  as  post-mortem 
examinations  aid  one  to  testify,  and  when  present  it  is  generally 
observed  in  the  aorta,  or  large  artery,  at  the  point  where  a  branch 
is  given  off  called  the  mesenteric  artery. 

The  symptoms  are  not  positively  indicative,  but  when  a  horse 
becomes  thin,  emaciated  and  unequal  to  work;  breathes  hurriedly; 
pulse  is  irregular,  and  great  stiffness  when  called  upon  to  turn 
round  is  exhibited  together  with  tenderness  to  pressure  over  the 
loins,  and  the  hind  legs  swell  constantly,  there  is  good  reason  to 
suspect  this  condition. 

As  a  rule  it  does  not  declare  itself  sufficiently  for  recognition 
until  well  established,  hence  the  greater  difficulty  in  effecting  a 
cure;  but  it  is  not  without  hope  of  alleviating  the  condition  if 
Lycopodium  3X  be  administered  three  times  a  day,  and  the  horse 
be  allowed  meanwhile  to  rest  in  a  roomy,  loose  box. 

PHLEBITIS  ;  IXFLAMMATIOX  OF  VEINS 

is  not  a  condition  often  met  with  in  the  horse  ;  it  rarely  arises 
without  some  external  cause,  mechanical  injury,  such  as  bleeding; 
as  however  this  operation  is  of  comparatively  rare  occurrence  now- 
a-days  it  is  more  than  ever  rare;  should  it  however  be  met  with 
there  is  one  condition  that  requires  some  care  to  obviate,  namely, 
ulceration,  which  of  course  involves  the  formation  of  pus  (matter) ; 
this  becomes  serious  when  the  pus  is  carried  into  the  general  cir- 
culation away  from  the  seat  of  origin,  which  is  most  likely  to  be 
the  case,  as  its  distribution  will  probably  give  rise  to  the  formation 
of  abscesses  in  various  parts  of  the  body,  and  the  ultimate  sequel 
would  be  blood  poisoning.  An  inflamed  condition  of  the  veins  is 
recognized  by  dilatation  of  the  vessels,  and  the  locality  where 
they  most  readily  expose  themselves  to  observation  is  the  inside 
of  the  hind  legs;  swollen  veins  are  distinguished  from  arteries,  in 
a  like  condition,  by  their  being  more  superficially  placed,  and  the 
knotted  enlargement  or  pouches  which  are  presented  at  varying 
distances  along  the  course  of  the  swollen  vessel;  the  knots  are  due 
to  the  arrest  of  the  blood  at  the  points  where  the  valves  are 
situated. 


148  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Treatment. — Hamamelis  0.  This  is  the  one  and  only  remedy 
we  shall  suggest  for  use  under  such  conditions  ;  if  the  affected 
locality  admits  of  topical  treatment,  compresses  of  this  drug  made 
by  mixing  one  part  thereof  with  four  of  water  should  be  applied 
in  addition  to  administering  five-drop  doses  internally  three  times 
a  day. 

HICCOUGH— SPASM  OF  DIAPHRAGM. 

In  the  first  place  it  is  necessary  to  explain  that  the  diaphragm, 
which  consists  partly  of  muscle  and  partly  of  fibrous  tissue,  serves 
to  divide  the  thorax  from  the  abdomen  ;  it  is  attached  at  its  upper 
part  to  a  ligament  belonging  to  the  vertebrae  or  spinal  column, 
and  each  side  of  the  margins  of  the  ribs;  at  all  events  this  roughly 
explains  its  situation  and  its  object;  under  certain  conditions  this 
fibro-muscular  membrane  becomes  cramped;  horses  that  have  been 
required  to  do  fast  work,  in  a  long  journey  on  an  empty  stomach 
are  generally  the  srubject  of  the  spasm;  it  has  been  frequently 
mistaken  for  palpitation  of  the  heart,  but  it  may  always  be  distin- 
guished from  this  by  the  fact  that  in  spasm  of  the  diaphragm  the 
horse  always  suffers  from  hiccough,  a  condition  which  calls  for  no 
explanation;  it  is  a  marked  and  constant  symptom. 

Treatment. — The  late  Mr.  James  Moore,  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Veterinary  Homoeopathy  in  London,  used  to  advise  the  admin- 
istration o{  Stannum  6x  for  hiccough,  and  when  one  bears  in  mind 
the  powerful  influence  this  drug  exercises  over  the  nervous  sys- 
tem, the  explanation  of  this  gentleman's  success  with  this  agent 
is  not  far  to  .seek. 

Niix  moschata  3X  is  what  we  have  been  accustomed  to  rely  upon 
for  spasm  of  the  diaphragm,  but  the  cases  that  have  come  under 
our  care  have  all  had  a  marked  bloated  condition  of  the  abdomen, 
as  is  observed  in  flatulent  colic,  a  symptom  that  speciall}'  indicates 
this  remedy,  by  reason  of  which  the  action  of  the  heart  and  the 
breathing  is  rendered  very  oppressive. 

Accessory  measures.  — To  avoid  a  possible  recurrence  of  this 
malady,  it  is  most  desirable  to  give  the  horse  a  few  days'  rest; 
keep  up  the  condition  with  good,  but  easily  digestible  food,  avoid- 
ing bulky  material,  and  bring  the  animal  to  its  work  again  by  de- 
grees. 


DISEASES  OF  DIGESTIVE 
SYSTEM. 


The  digestive  tract,  which  starts  at  the  mouth  and  ends  at  the 
•anus,  may  fairly  be  described  as  one  long  continuous  tube  which 
varies  in  size  in  different  parts;  commencing  at  the  mouth  it  passes 
to  the  pharynx,  which  is  also  shared  with  the  respiratory  tract, 
as  the  back  of  the  nose  also  empties  itself  into  that  organ;  from 
the  pharynx  the  tube  is  continued  as  the  oesophagus,  which  passes 
•down  the  neck  side  by  side  with  the  trachsea  (or  windpipe);  the 
oesophagus  is  commonly  known  as  the  gullet;  this  joins  the  stom- 
ach, which  is  nothing  more  than  a  large  dilatation  of  the  digestive 
tube;  passing  out  of  the  stomach  the  tube  becomes  very  small,  and 
there  commence  the  smallest  intestines;  the  intestines  vary  in  size 
until  some  short  distance  before  arriving  at  the  anus  (or  external 
opening  behind);  a  short  distance  from  the  commencement  of  the 
small  intestines,  not  far  from  the  stomach,  there  is  a  tube  con- 
nected with  and  coming  from  the  liver,  which  empties  the  con- 
tents of  that  organ  (the  bile)  into  the  intestines;  the  bile  assists 
in  the  digestion  of  the  food;  this  small  tube  (or  duct )  which  comes 
from  the  liver  has  also  another  tube  which  conveys  the  secretion 
of  a  gland  called  the  pancreas  and  joins  the  duct  of  the  liver  before 
it  enters  the  intestine;  this  gland  secretes  a  fluid  called  the  pacre- 
atic  juice,  which  also  assists  in  the  process  of  digestion.  The 
process  o^  digestion  commences  in  the  mouth,  where  by  means  of 
mastication  the  food  is  rendered  fit  to  be  acted  upon  by  the  saliva, 
the  gastric  juice  which  is  formed  in  the  stomach,  the  pancreatic 
juice  and  the  bile,  and  finally  the  various  secretions  from  the 
glands  situate  in  the  walls  of  the  intestines;  in  plain  lan- 
guage, the  process  of  digestion  is  one  of  dissolving  all  the  way 
along  the  tube,  or  of  rendering  solid  food  soluble,  so  that  it  may 
be  taken  up  and  transferred  to  its  destination  by  means  of  .the 
blood  and  other  channels  through  which  it  passes  while  being  dis- 
tributed over  the  body  for  assimilation. 

149 


150  VKTEKINARY     HOMCEOPATHY. 

This,  of  course,  is  but  an  extremely  rough  and  ready  explana- 
tion of  what  goes  on  in  the  system,  and  is  offered  with  apologies  for 
meagreness  of  description,  at  the  same  time,  were  we  to  attempt 
to  offer  anything  like  so  elaborate  an  exposition  of  the  subject  as 
its  importance  demands,  we  should  proceed  beyond  the  ken  of  those 
for  whom  this  book  is  written,  and  moreover  far  ex<-eed  the  pre- 
scribed limits;  our  object  is  merely  to  convey  a  rough  idea  of  the 
digestive  organs  and  of  what  they  consist,  so  that  readers  may  the 
more  readily  follow  us  as  we  proceed  to  deal  with  various  disorders 
to  which  animals  are  subject  in  this  portion  of  the  organism.   The 
diseases  of  the  digestive  tract  are  certainly  more  under  control 
and  capable  of  prevention  on  the  part  of  stablemen  and  owners 
than  are  those  of  any  other  portion  of  the  animal  body;  the  char- 
acter and  quality  of  the  food;  the  methods  and  time  of  giving  it, 
are  points  which  deserve  far  more  careful  consideration  than  they 
generally  receive;  for  instance,  while  the  better-bred  animals,  such 
as  race-horses,  trotters,  and  high-class  harness  horses  are  well  pro- 
vided for  as  to  qualit3%  it  does  not  follow  that  necessary  caution  is 
exhibited  by  the  attendants  as  to  the  methods  and  time  of  feeding 
and  watering,  having  in  view  the  nature  of  the  work   the  horse 
has  been  doing,  or  the  time  occupied  in  its  performance;    on  the 
other  hand,  take  the  coarser-bred  animals,  such  as  are  worked 
on  farms,  or  for  hauling  purposes  in  large  towns;  here  the  character 
and  quality  of  the  food  is  frequently  very  indifferent;  they  are  ex- 
pected to  consume  and  dispose  of  all  or  anj^  of  the  coarsest  material, 
especially  agricultural  horses;  at  one  time  they  may  have  to  go  for 
six  hours  at  a  stretch  without  any  food,  while  at  others  the  man 
will  have  a  nosebag  on  almost  continually,  according  to  the  par- 
ticular work  that  is  being  done  and  the  facilities  it  offers  for  this 
sort  of  thing;  what  wonder,   then,  if  under  conditions  of   such 
irregularity  colic  supervenes;  ignorantly  mistaken  kindness  at  one 
time   and   careless  indifference  at   another.     All   descriptions  of 
horses,  except  the  more  carefully  tended  race-horse  and  trotter, 
are  liable  to  be  kept  out  many  hours  at  the  stretch,  and  to  make 
up  for  this  are,  when  brought  home,  immediately  supplied  with  a 
blow-out  of   water,   and  food  enough  is  placed  before  them   to 
account  for  two  or- three  ordinary  meals;  not  only  does  the  animal 
return  home  tired  and  leg  weary,  but  his  whole  system  is  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  exhausted  muscles,  and  the  vital  energ}^  is  tempo- 


DISEASES    OF    DIGESTIVE    SYSTEM.  151 

rarily  lowered;  under  such  conditions  a  short  period  of  repose  is 
as  essential  for  the  digestive  organs  as  for  the  legs  and  body  before 
calling  upon  them  for  active  work  such  as  the  process  of  digestion 
involves;  under  such  circumstances  the  horse  should  be  allowed 
two  or  three  mouthfuls  only  of  water,  with  about  a  double  handful 
of  hay  to  play  with  while  being  cleaned  and  dressed,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  one  hour  an  ordinary  supply  of  water  to  be  followed 
shortly  by  the  usual  feed  of  corn;  in  this  way  nature  is  gradually 
restored  to  her  normal  state  and  digestion  will  proceed  in  the 
ordinary  course  without  fear  of  the  dire  consequences  that  fre- 
quently supervene  upon  the  well-intentioned  but  very-injudicious 
methods  referred  to  above. 

It  must  therefore  be  understood  by  owners  that  it  is  a  false  econ- 
omy to  allow  their  horses,  whatever  the  class  or  breed,  any  thing 
but  good,  sound,  wholesome  food,  and  further  that  if  the  very  fre- 
quent cases  of  disorders  affecting  the  intestines  are  to  be  obviated, 
it  must  be  by  the  exercise  of  common  sense  and  ordinary  intelli- 
gence, in  the  manner  of  supplying  the  food,  making  due  allowance 
when  animals  have  been  called  to  fast  long  and  continuously,  not  to 
overload  the  stomach  unduly  thereafter,  nor  to  lower  the  internal 
temperature  suddenly  by  allowing  a  hot,  fagged  and  thirsty  animal 
to  drink  his  fill  immediateh^  on  arriving  home;  nor  in  the  cases 
of  heavy  draught  horses  to  sanction  their  being  allowed  to  drink 
absolutel}'  cold  water  while  at  work,  and  on  a  long  journey;  at 
such  times  a  very  necessar}^  refresher  should  consist  of  a  moderate 
quantity  of  warm  thin  oatmeal  gruel;  in  offering  these  suggestions 
we  fully  sympathize  with  the  difficulties  against  which  owners 
have  to  contend  through  the  carelessness  and  indifference  of 
stupid  servants.  The  subject  of  dietary  is  an  all  important  one 
and  calls  for  more  careful  discrimination  than  it  generally  receives; 
if  one  were  to  judge  by  the  ordinary  actions  of  horse  owners  and 
stablemen,  it  would  be  quite  reasonable  to  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  the  majority  of  these  men  look  upon  the  digestive  apparatus 
of  this  animal  as  a  sort  of  metallic  machine  into  which  must  be 
crammed  to  the  full,  whatever  comes  to  hand  in  the  shape  of  food, 
good,  bad  and  indifferent,  nevermind  which,  so  long  as  the  greatest 
quantity  can  be  stowed  away  in  the  smallest  space  of  time;  this 
at  all  events  used  to  be  the  prevailing  idea;  but  thanks  to  the 
veterinary  profession  methods  more  in  harmony  with  an  intelli- 


152  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

gent  appreciation  of  the  laws  of  physiology  are  now  adopted;  still 
there  is  ample  scope  for  improvement  and  were  we  writing  a  work 
upon  hygiene,  the  subject  would  furnish  abundant  opportunity 
for  the  exercise  of  our  best  abilities;  our  present  duty,  however, 
is  to  point  out  how  indiscretion  may  be  rectified,  and  the  subjects 
of  indiscretion  relieved  of  the  sufferings  they  are  compelled  to 
uncomplainingly  bear. 

THE  TEETH. 

There  are  various  conditions  affecting  the  teeth  to  which  we 
might  refer,  but  we  shall  confine  ourselves  to  one  or  two  which  can 
readily  be  observed  after  careful  examination  by  the  novice,  and 
that  are  easily  capable  of  relief.  It  is  largely  necessary  to  point 
out  how  important  it  is  that  the  teeth  should  be  maintained  in  a 
condition  that  fits  them  for  thorough  mastication;  this  is  their 
physiological  function;  it  is  the  process  or  mechanical  operation 
by  which  the  alimentary  material  is  prepared  for  the  chemical  ac- 
tion of  the  juices  of  the  stomach  and  intestines,  to  act  upon  and 
render  soluble;  and  this  especially  applies  to  animals,  such  as  the 
horse,  which  feed  on  grain  and  vegetable  products,  which  require 
minute  subdivision  before  they  are  rendered  susceptible  to  the  ac- 
tion of  the  digestive  juices.  For  the  proper  and  satisfactory  per- 
formance of  the  act  of  mastication  it  is  essential  that  the  surfaces 
of  the  crowns  of  the  large  molar  teeth  should  be  level  so  that 
tliose  of  the  upper  and  lower  jaws  should  meet  or  approximate  to- 
gether as  nearly  as  pos.sible.  For  various  reasons  due  either  to 
the  character  of  the  food  or  the  quality  of  the  different  substances 
of  which  the  teeth  are  composed,  it  frequently  happens  in  horses 
over  seven  years  of  age  that  some  of  the  teeth  wear  more  than 
others  and  that  consequently  there  are  spaces  left  between  .some  of 
them  in  which  those  of  the  upper  and  lower  jaw  do  not  meet 
properl}^  and  hence  the  mastication  is  imperfect  or  plugs  of  food 
are  imbedded  between  the  teeth;  to  obviate  this  condition,  the 
rasp  must  be  brought  into  action,  or  if  one  or  two  teeth  have 
proved  themselves  equal  to  an  extraordinary  resistance  of  wear 
and  are  standing  out  prominently  above  the  majority,  they  must 
be  sacrificed  by  cutting  off  their  crowns  to  the  level  of  the  rest. 
Between  the  ages  of  three  and  four  years  young  horses  require 
special  attention,  as  this  period  of  dentition  is  frequently  a  trying 


THE   TEETH.  153 

one,  and  where  difficulty  is  experienced  in  cutting  through  the 
permanent  set,  and  dislodging  the  temporary  ones  at  the  periods 
when  the  change  ought  to  take  place,  much  benefit  will  deriv^e 
from  the  administration  of  Calcarca  phosphorica  3X  ten  grains 
night  and  morning,  so  long  as  the  difficulty  lasts;  not  only  will 
this  treatment  help  to  bring  about  a  normal  developement  of  the 
masticatory  organs,  but  the  general  health  of  the  animal  which 
will  probably  have  suffered  as  a  consequence,  will  rapidly  improve 
— an  appreciation  of  this  difficulty  and  the  method  of  obviating 
the  same  should  be  understood,  especially  by  owners  of  race  horses 
who  are  probably  greater  sufferers  from  this  condition  than  any 
other  class  of  horse,  which  fact  may  be  accounted  for  by  the  artifi- 
cial forcing  to  which  these  animals  are  subjected  from  their  earliest 
infancy.  ' '  Caries' '  (or  decay )  of  teeth  is  a  disorder  that  may  affect 
any  class  of  horse  and  though  it  may  not  be  of  frequent  occur- 
ence, w^heu  present  it  must  be  as  painful  and  quite  as  inconven- 
ient to  the  horse  as  the  human  subject;  horses  are  generally  so 
patient  and  forebearing  that  they  may  for  days  be  the  subject  of 
this  pain  without  an  attendant  noticing  anything  amiss;  ultimately, 
however,  the  animal  goes  off  his  food,  or  makes  an  attempt  to 
masticate  it,  and  drops  portions  of  it  only  partially  comminuted  into 
the  manger,  this  is  called  ' '  guidding;"  in  the  worst  cases  the  horse 
will  rest  his  head  on  the  manger,  against  the  side  of  the  stall  or 
rack;  this  is  the  time  for  a  careful  examination  of  the  mouth  and 
each  individual  tooth;  a  decayed  tooth  will  generally  exhibit  some 
discoloration,  even  if  no  portion  is  broken  away;  to  test  these  a 
few  gentle  taps  with  some  instrument  will  enable  the  examiner  to 
detect  if  there  is  pain  and  soreness,  if  so  it  is  reasonable  to  assume 
that  the'  faulty  tooth  is  discovered  and  the  treatment  should  con- 
sist of  Merairiits  corrosivus  6x,  ten  gr.  every  four  hours,  while  the 
food  should  be  given  in  small  quantities  and  be  rendered  soft  by 
steaming;  bran  and  crushed  oats  in  abundance  without  chaff  or 
hay  of  any  sort;  if  the  pain  appears  to  continue  after  one  day's 
trial  of  Merciirius  cor.  it  may  possibly  suggest  the  presence  of  an 
abscess  at  the  root  of  the  tooth  in  which  case  Silicea  12,  should  be 
given;  and  even  supposing  there  is  no  abscess,  which  almost  in- 
variably yields  to  a  course  of  Silicea  this  remedy  frequently 
proves  successful  in  cases  of  caries  where  Mercurius  cor.  fails. 
The  remaining  condition  affecting  teeth  to  which  we  shall  refer 


154  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

is  that  of  the  presence  of  a  space  between  any  of  the  molars  in 
which  partly  macerated  portions  of  food  get  imbedded,  and  ulti- 
mately decompose,  producing  not  only  as  bad  a  smell  as  a  decayed 
tooth,  but  as  the  result  of  decomposition  damage  to  the  outer 
layer  of  enamel  of  each  of  the  teeth  against  which  it  remains 
plugged;  the  pressure  of  this  foreign  substance,  which,  as  masti- 
cation proceeds,  is  being  continually  added  to,  produces  consider- 
able pain  and  inconvenience;  to  obviate  this  difficulty,  a  piece  of 
good  quality  gutta  percha  should  be  obtained,  and  after  rendering 
the  same  perfectly  soft  and  pliable  by  heat,  the  space  should  be 
packed  with  it  so  as  to  fill  up  the  cavity  level  with  the  crowns  of 
the  teeth  or  nearly  so;  if  a  veterinary  surgeon  is  not  available,  it 
would  be  better  to  call  in  the  aid  of  a  professional  dentist  to  per- 
form the  operation;  and  here  we  must  point  out  in  passing  that 
the  only  safe  method  of  examining  a  horse's  teeth  that  can  be 
adopted  is  by  the  aid  of  a  so-called  "  balling  iron,"  which  can  be 
obtained  and  its  mode  of  application  explained  at  any  veterinary 
instrument  maker's.  The  extraction  of  a  permanent  molar  is, 
under  the  most  favorable  circumstances  and  at  the  hands  of  an  ex- 
perienced surgeon,  a  most  serious  and  formidable  operation,  and 
one  that  should  never  be  attempted  save  under  exceptional  and 
pressing  requirements,  and  then  only  by  a  qualified  practitioner; 
of  course,  by  the  majority  of  allopathic  veterinarians,  the  idea  of 
relieving  pain  produced  by  a  carious  tooth,  or  of  dispersing  an 
abscess  situate  at  the  end  of  a  fang  by  means  of  internal  medica- 
tion would  be  ridiculed  as  preposterous;  nevertheless  our  experi- 
ence among  horses  and  dogs  warrants  us  in  affirming  very  posi- 
tively that  such  results  are  attainable,  and  considering  the  hard 
character  of  the  tissues  of  which  teeth  are  composed,  in  numerical 
proportions  far  exceeding  what  the  most  sanguine  advocates  of 
Homoepathy  could  reasonably  anticipate;  furthermore,  our  experi- 
ence on  our  own  person,  and  on  the  persons  of  countless  stable^ 
men  that  have  received  most  acceptable  relief  when  suffering  the 
agonies  of  toothache,  confirms  all  that  has  been  claimed  for  the 
treatment  of  animals  under  like  conditions. 

LAMPAS. 

This  common  and  well-known  condition  affecting  the  mucous 
membrane  lining  the  mouth  generally,  is  often  made  an  excuse 


LAMPAS.  155 

among  stablemen,  and  especially  horse  dealers,  for  adopting  the 
barbarous  and  cruel  practice  of  burning  the  roof  of  the  mouth  with 
a  searing  iron  or  gashing  and  pricking  the  same  with  a  horse  nail. 
When  we  come  to  consider  the  real  cause  of  the  swelling,  namel}-, 
congestion  or  an  excess  of  blood  to  the  parts,  produced  by  dental 
irritation  while  the  animal  is  cutting  its  teeth,  or  by  stomach  dis- 
order, it  will  readily  be  seen  that  such  brutal  methods,  the  prac- 
tice of  which  should  be  relegated  to  the  dark  ages,  can  do  no 
earthly  good;  to  produce  pain  to  effect  a  good  object  is  not  only 
allowable  but  commendable;  to  wantonly  cause  pain  without  any 
reasonable  prospect  of  advantage  to  a  patient,  is  to  deserve  the 
practice  of  similar  methods  on  the  principle  of  "an  eye  for  an  eye 
and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth,"  etc. 

In  most  cases  the  sw^ollen  condition  of  the  membrane  is  due  to 
the  two  causes  already  enumerated  and  is  displayed  over  the  roof 
of  the  mouth  and  the  gums  in  the  space  between  the  incisor  and 
molar  teeth;  at  the  same  time  it  may  be  caused  by  violence,  such 
as  a  sharp  bit  that  has  been  applied  with  undue  force;  these  cases 
rarely  show  much  swelling  of  the  roof  of  the  mouth,  and  cannot 
therefore  be  strictl}^  defined  as  lampas,  but  the  membrane  of  the 
lips  and  cheeks  is  much  tumefied. 

Treatment. — Belladonna  3X  for  true  cases  of  lampas  in  which 
the  swelling  is  due  to  dental  troubles  and  therefore  generally 
occurring  in  young  horses;  a  dose  every  four  hours. 

Nux  vomica  3X  in  cases  of  lampas  arising  out  of  sympathy  with 
some  gastric  (stomach)  or  intestinal  trouble,  such  as  simple  indi- 
gestion; repeat  dose  three  times  a  day. 

Arnica  mont.  3X  when  the  swelling  of  the  buccal  membrane 
■owes  its  origin  to  mechanical  injury. 

Accessory  measures. — In  all  cases  the  animal  must  be  put  on 
soft  diet;  bran  mashes  and  steamed  oats  that  have  been  previously 
crushed;  no  hay,  no  chaff,  nor  indeed  anything  that  demands 
active  mastication;  good  strong  linseed  tea,  made  by  slowly  sim- 
mering one  pound  weight  of  linseed  in  a  couple  of  gallons  of 
water  until  the  lot  is  reduced  to  one  gallon  by  measure,  will  mate- 
rially assist  in  keeping  up  the  strength  until  the  congested  and 
sore  state  is  ameliorated.  Under  no  conditions,  however,  should 
food  remain  before  a  horse  after  it  has  partaken  of  as  much  as  the 
-appetite  requires;  any  remnants  should  be  removed  and  the  man- 


156  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

ger  washed  out,  as  moistened  food  rapidh'  turns  sour,  taints  the- 
manger,  and  the  animal  continues  to  refuse  its  food,  in  consequence 
of  the  objectionable  taste  and  smell  imparted  to  it  by  the  decom- 
position of  previous  unfinished  meals.  The  chief  sjaiiptoms  that 
direct  attention  to  this  state  of  the  buccal  membrane  are,  frothing 
and  slavering,  refusal  to  take  dry  food,  and  extreme  tenderness  of 
the  mouth  on  attempting  to  examine,  as  evinced  by  a  determined 
opposition  to  being  handled.  At  these  times  the  balling  iron 
must  never  be  used,  as  the  interdental  spaces  between  incisors  and 
molars  are  swollen  and  highly  sensitive  to  touch;  gentle  handling 
and  coaxing  wnll  generalh^  suffice  far  better  than  rougher  proceed- 
ings when  it  is  necessary  to  examine  the  mouth  that  is  in  this 
condition. 

GLOSSITIS— INFLAMMATION  OF  TONGUE. 

Under  this  heading  it  will  be  necessary  to  include  several  condi- 
tions affecting  the  organ;  in  the  first  place  we  have  idiopathic 
glossitis,  which  is  an  inflamed  state  of  the  structures  of  the  organ 
that  arises  as  the  result  of  bad  health  and  for  which  no  external 
cause  is  responsible;  this  is  not  a  common  complaint  with  the 
horse;  there  is,  however,  an  inflamed  state  of  the  horse's  tongue 
that  is  by  no  means  uncommon,  we  regret  to  say,  because  it  owes 
its  origin  to  injury  effected  either  by  carelessness  or  actual  brutality 
on  the  part  of  an  attendant;  the  organ  may  be  abraded,  torn  or 
cut  by  being  carelessly  included  in  the  halter  when  this  is  used  in- 
stead of  a  proper  bit,  to  lead  a  horse;  again,  the  tongue  may  be 
accidentally  bitten  by  the  animal  itself;  or  it  may  be  wilfully  and 
maliciously  injured  by  caustic  agents,  such  as  Ammonia  and  Tur- 
pentine. 

It  is  of  course  necessary  to  determine  what  is  the  cause  of  the 
inflammation  before  attempting  to  treat  it;  this  is  not  so  difficult 
as  at  first  sight  it  may  seem:  in  primary  glossitis,  or  that  from 
which  develops  of  itself  and  is  the  evidence  of  bad  health,  the 
organ  is  swollen,  painful,  but  when  protruded  out  of  the  mouth 
the  exposed  parts  are  dry  and  brown;  the  animal  is  unable  to 
swallow,  and  a  good  deal  of  sticky  mucus  adheres  to  the 
side  of  the  cheek  and  about  the  teeth.  When  the  tongue  is 
inflamed  by  means  of  irritating  caustic  agents  or  by  hot  water,  the 
organ  is  very  much  swollen  and  hangs  out  of  the  mouth;  but  the 


PAROTITIS.  157 

part  that  is  exposed  instead  of  looking  brown  and  dry,  has  rather 
a  whitish  appearance  and  portions  of  the  mucous  membrane  will 
peel  off  and  hang  in  shreds;  the  membrane  may  be  dry  but  more 
often  it  is  covered  with  thinish  mucus,  and  the  animal  continues 
slavering — an  injured  tongue  of  course  declares  itself.  In  the 
case  of  the  natural  primary  form  of  glossitis,  Mercurius  cor.  3X  is 
an  excellent  remedy  administered  in  frequent  doses,  say  once 
every  three  hours;  the  horse  should  be  induced  to  gargle  his 
mouth  voluntarily,  if  possible,  in  a  weak,  warm  lotion  of 
Condy's  Fluid,  just  sufficient  being  used  to  color  the  water  a  rich 
magenta  shade;  if  the  animal  will  not  do  this  of  his  own  free  will, 
then  the  mouth  should  be  freely  syringed  out  with  this  lotion  two 
or  three  times  a  day,  to  keep  it  clean  of  the  adhesive  mucus  and 
to  disinfect  the  organ.  In  cases  that  have  been  injured  by  some 
caustic  agent  a  cooling  lotion,  consisting  of  one  part  of  common 
vinegar  with  two  of  water,  serves  to  counteract  the  chemical  action 
of  an  alkali  and  is  also  ver\^  acceptable  to  the  patient;  after  some 
relief  is  obtained,  the  healing  of  the  inj  ured  parts  will  be  much 
facilitated  by  painting  the  organ  b}-  means  of  a  camel's  hair  brush 
with  a  lotion  consisting  of  Calendula  i  part,  Glycerme  2  parts  and 
water  3  parts. 

In  the  cases  of  glossitis  which  owe  their  origin  to  injuries 
much  depends  upon  the  nature  and  extent  of  same;  should  the 
organ  be  much  torn  it  may  be  necessary  to  invoke  the  aid  of  a 
surgeon;  if  a  veterinarian  is  not  available  it  would  be  wise  policy 
to  seek  to  induce  a  medical  man  to  do  what  he  can  by  w^ay  of  sut- 
uring and  to  advise  the  most  desirable  antiseptic  dressing;  the 
operation  is  too  delicate  a  one  for  a  layman  to  attempt;  conserva- 
tive surgery  is  an  absolute  necessity  in  dealing  with  the  tono-ue; 
for  ordinary  cases  of  inj  ury  the  dressing  should  consist  of  a  lotion 
of  Arnica.  S  i  part.  Glycerine  2  parts  and  w^ater  6  parts,  with 
which  the  tongue  must  be  frequentl}^  dressed. 

The  food  must,  of  course,  consist  of  soft  mashes  and  scalded 
oats  previously  crushed;  no  hay  or  chaff;  liquids  would  be  better 
if  nutritious,  such  as  linseed  tea,  milk,  etc. 

PAROTITIS— INFLAMMATION   OF   PAROTID   GLANDS. 

These  glands  are  located  behind  the  inferior  maxillary  jaw  iDone 
extending  from  the  bottom  of  the  ears  downwards;  in  some  horses, 


1 58  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

especialh'  coarsely-bred  animals,  they  are  very  distinctly  observed, 
and  in  many  respects  the  results  of  inflammation  are  very  much 
like  those  of  strangles,  with  this  difference  only,  that  the  glands 
are  situated  in  another  locality;  indeed,  at  times  the  parotid 
glands  are  sympathetically  affected  in  cases  of  strangles;  the  paro- 
tid glands,  on  either  side  of  the  head,  are  rather  large  in  size,  and 
it  often  happens  that  the  suppuration  which  follows  their  inflam- 
mation does  not  affect  the  whole  gland,  but  only  a  part,  and  for 
this  reason  the  process  is  frequently  a  slow  one.  At  other  times 
no  suppuration  takes  place  at  all;  the  gland  becomes  very  hard  at 
the  onset,  and  thereafter  softens  without  the  formation  of  an  ab- 
scess and  the  discharge  of  matter.  The  symptoms  are  that  the 
horse  is  unable  to  move  its  head  freely  from  side  to  side;  there  is 
a  good  deal  of  swelling  and  pain  over  the  seat  of  the  glands;  and 
not  infrequently  the  pressure  upon  the  lar3^nx  in  consequence  of 
the  swelling  of  the  glands  on  either  side  of  this  organ  produces  an 
unnatural  sound  in  breathing.  When  the  inflammation  proceeds 
to  suppuration  the  localit}'  of  discharge  shows  itself  by  pointing 
or  swelling  in  various  parts  of  the  gland  or  glands;  these,  of 
course,  require  poulticing  and  fomenting  with  hot  water  in  bring- 
ing them  to  a  head;  as  a  rule  they  burst  spontaneousl}- ;  if  not, 
some  surgical  aid  is  called  for.  To  induce  the  rapid  maturition 
or  perfection  of  the  abscess  there  is  nothing  like  Hepar sulplmr  2,'^, 
ten  grains  every  four  hours,  and  after  the  abscess  is  discharged,  to 
promote  healing,  Silicea  6x,  three  times  a  day,  is  the  best  practice. 
The  parotid  gland,  to  which  we  have  been  referring,  has  for  its 
function  the  secretion  of  saliva  to  aid  the  process  of  digestion;  for 
the  convenient  discharge  of  the  saliva  into  the  mouth,  so  that  it 
can  readily  mix  with  the  food  as  mastication  goes  on,  a  small  duct 
(or  tube)  connected  with  the  lower  portion  of  the  gland,  about 
the  size  of  a  small  quill  pen,  passes  along  the  side  of  each  cheek 
and  there  empties  itself.  Occasionally  these  ducts  are  blocked  up 
by  small,  round  or  oval  calculi  (or  stones)  which  consist  mainly 
of  lime,  and  for  the  well-being  of  the  horse  it  is  necessary  that, 
when  present,  they  should  be  removed;  this  operation  necessitates 
the  serv'ice  of  a  skilled  surgeon;  the  presence  of  these  calculi  will 
be  discernible  by  the  swelling  they  produce,  and  the  hardness  of 
the  substance. 

An  adcident  occasionally  brings  about  the  establishment  of  a 


PHARYNGITIS.  1 59 

pipe-like  opening  (fistula)  from  the  parotid  duct,  through  the 
little  salivary  canal  having  been  pierced  or  wounded;  when  this 
is  the  case,  the  saliva  continues  to  pour  out  externally  so  long  as 
mastication  proceeds,  and  is  consequently  wasted.  These  cases 
are  frequently  somewhat  difficult  to  cure,  but  to  effect  a  union  of 
the  adjacent  parts,  the  edges  of  the  wound  may  be  lightly  dressed 
with  Nitrate  of  silver,  and  thereafter  an  adhesive  plaster  placed 
right  over  the  part;  the  horse  must  be  kept  for  some  days  on 
liquid  nutriment  to  obviate  the  necessity  of  mastication,  and  so 
keep  the  gland  in  a  state  of  quiescence;  milk,  beef  tea  and  linseed 
_gruel  may  be  tried  with  probable  success;  the  horse  should  be 
tied  up  short  at  the  rack  to  prevent  it  from  eating  its  bed  and  also 
from  keeping  the  head  in  a  dependent  position;  nor  should  the 
animal  be  allowed  to  lie  down  for  several  days  until  the  plaster  is 
remo\'ed. 

PHARYNGITIS— INFI.AMMATION  OF  PHARYNX- 
SORE  THROAT. 

This  condition  is  usually  first  declared  by  a  cough,  but  so  far 
as  the  distinguishing  characteristics  go,   they  are  by  no  means 
easy  to  define;  some  are  hoarse,   rough,  and  short,   others  soft, 
Aveak,  and  prolonged,  according  to  the  extent  of  the  inflammation 
and  how  long  it  has  existed;  one  of  the  most  reliable  indications 
is  the  amount  of  soreness  displayed  on  handling  the  throat  exter- 
nally, and  also  the  extent  of  redness  exhibited  about  the  throa<- 
at  the  back  of  the  tongue,  and  in  the  region  of  the  tonsils;  inflam 
mation  of  the  pharynx  does  often  occur  in  conjunction  with  influ- 
■enza,  or  any  fever  in  which  the  air  passages  are  involved,  but  at  the 
present  we  are  considering  it  as  the  primary  disease  in  which  sore 
throat  is  the  most  pronounced  symptom :  of  this  leading  indica- 
tion we  have  minor  or  detailed   symptoms  such    as  difficulty  of 
■sivallozving ;  the  effort  to  swallow  food  brings  on  a  couo-h-  the 
same  applies  to  liquids,  which  are  sometimes  returned  through  the 
nose;  at  others  the  difficulty  of  swallowing  saliva  is  apparent  bv 
the  fact  of  the  horse  every  now  and  again  drawing  his  nose  in 
towards  his  chin,  just  as  a  man  would  under  similar  circumstances, 
while  partaking  of  food  or  water  produces  no  sensation  of  pain; 
it  is  reallj^  nothing  more  nor  less  than  a  sore  throat,  but  the  rem- 
■edy  for  this  is  not  always  easy  to  hit  off;  the  totality  of  the  symp- 


l6o  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY, 

toms  are  comparatiYely  few.  One  of  the  finest  agents  for  curing- 
this  congested  condition  of  the  pharynx  is  Sulphurous  add  inhaXed^ 
for  some  moments,  until  the  effect  of  the  acid  is  felt  upon  the 
mucous  membrane  lining  the  pharynx;  certainly  it  produces  an 
active  fit  of  coughing  at  the  time,  but  the  alleviation  thereafter 
of  the  soreness  and  fullness  is  simply  remarkable;  the  only  way 
that  can  be  suggested  for  its  administration  to  the  horse  would  be 
to  close  up  the  apertures  in  a  loose  box,  set  fire  to  a  charcoal  cal- 
dron over  which  a  small  quantit}'  of  powdered  Sulphur  must  be 
sprinkled;  as  the  fumes  are  given  off  the  horse  will  begin  to  cough 
more  or  less  violently,  and  after  the  animal  has  been  compelled  to 
breathe  this  sulphurous  atmosphere  for  three  or  four  minutes,  the 
stable  door  should  be  opened  and  the  heated  caldron  be  removed; 
it  is  only  necessary  that  the  horse  should  inhale  sufficient  of  the 
fumes  to  act  upon  the  whole  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
throat;  it  is  a  cheap  and  effective  remedy  for  this  sort  of  thing, 
but  of  course  care  must  be  exercised  not  to  stifle  the  animal  with 
an  excess  of  the  Sulphurous  acid  gas. 

Apart  from  this,  other  remedies  are  Aconite  3X,  Belladonna  3X, 
Mercurius  solubilis  5,  and  Lachesis  5. — Aconite  in  the  earl}'  stages; 
Belladonna  when  the  throat  is  very  bright  red,  the  eyes  are  glis- 
tening and  pupils  dilated;  Mercurius  sol.  when  there  is  a  great 
deal  of  saliva  dropping  from  the  mouth,  and  Lachesis  when  the 
animal  is  dull  after  several  days'  treatment,  and  the  temperature 
goes  up,  which  symptoms  indicate  complications  calling  for 
special  remedial  measures. 

Inflammation  of  the  pharynx,  if  allowed  to  get  a  regular  hold 
upon  the  structures  of  the  throat  not  infrequently  results  in  the 
formation  of  abscesses;  these  circumscribed  collections  of  matter 
(pus)  are  found  in  the  muscular  walls  of  the  pharynx  and  b}' 
reason  of  their  size,  just  prior  to  discharge,  cause  considerable 
inconvenience  in  consequence  of  the  obstruction  offered  to  breath- 
ing; in  some  cases  the  external  swelling,  on  one  or  both  sides  of 
the  throat,  is  sufficient  to  draw  attention  to  their  presence,  in 
which  circumstances  manipulation  of  the  parts  generally  reveals 
marked  tenderness;  but  should  the  external  swelling  not  be 
.observed,  attention  will  l^e  drawn  to  the  horse  by  the  difficulty 
experienced  in  breathing  and  swallowing,  and  by  the  continuous, 
formation  of   saliva  which  drips  from  the  mouth  in   tenacious 


OESOPHAGUS.  j6i 

strings;  this  discovery  should  lead  the  careful  stableman  to 
examine  the  throat  internally,  and  should  the  swelling  appear 
likely  to  cause  grave  results,  it  may  be  necessary  to  open  and  dis- 
charge the  abscess;  on  the  other  hand,  this  necessity  will  not 
frequently  arise,  as  the  administration  of  the  homoeopathic  remedies 
which  exercise  a  special  influence  on  suj^puration,  usually  mature 
and  ripen  abscesses,  wherever  located,  with  considerable  rapidit}' 
and  these  burst  and  discharge  naturally  without  the  uecessit}'  for 
operative  intervention. 

Treatment. — Belladonna  3X  in  the  earlier  stages  while  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  throat  looks  bright  red  and  dry;  soreness 
and  difficult}-  of  swallowing  are  very  apparent;  the  eyes  also  are 
frequently  streaked  with  red  lines  over  the  white  portion;  the 
body  temperature  is  exalted  and  the  pulse  more  rapid  than 
normal;  under  such  conditions  the  remedy  will  frequently  abort 
the  inflammation  and  prevent  the  development  of  suppuration. 

Hepar  sulphur  3X  when  the  swelling  in  the  throat  is  thoroughly 
established  and  it  is  quite  clear  that  the  formation  of  pus  has  com- 
menced, this  agent  will  aid  in  the  rapid  maturation  and  ripening 
of  the  abscess. 

Accessory  Measures. — Much  assistance  may  be  afforded  by 
making  the  horse  inhale  hot  steam;  a  nose  bag  containing  bran 
or  finely  cut  chaff  should  be  attached  to  the  head;  thereupon  pour 
sufficient  boiling  water  to  saturate  the  contents  of  the  bag,  then 
throw  a  rug  over  the  horse's  head  to  keep  the  steam  from  evapor- 
ating too  rapidly. 

CESOPHAGUS— GULLET. 

The  diseases  affecting  the  gullet  are  rare  in  the  horse,  indeed, 
so  rare  that  beyond  referring  to  ordinary  inflammation  of  the 
oesophageal  tube,  it  is  not  necessary  to  mention  them;  but  the 
tube  may  suffer  from  mechanical  injury,  either  as  the  result  of 
external  violence  or  through  swallowing  food  that  is  not  suffi- 
ciently broken  up  or  macerated,  such  as  a  piece  of  carrot  or 
turnip;  the  conseqvience  of  such  an  occurrence  may  lead  up  to  a 
dilatation  of  the  gullet,  which,  of  course,  will  be  chiefly  ob^^v- 
able  during  the  period  that  a  horse  is  eating  or  drinking,  as  the 
the  dilated  portion  of  the  canal  becomes  extra  distended  at  this 
time;   tli3  probability  of  doing  much   good   under  such   circum- 


l62  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Stances  is  decidedly  small;  some  advantage  might  possibly  accrue 
from  repeatedly  blistering  the  surface  of  the  skin  over  the  dilata- 
tion, or  from  a  light  application  of  the  actual  cautery  (firing  iron) 
over  the  same.  By  some  such  a  prescription  will  doubtless  prove 
curious  reading  in  a  homoeopathic  work,  but  it  is  strictly  in 
accordance  with  the  principle.  Inflammation  is  probably  the 
cause  of  the  dilatation,  therefore  produce  inflammation  to  cure  it; 
we  shall  have  cause  to  refer  to  this  subject  under  some  forms  of 
lameness  in  which  nothing  but  the  firing  iron  is  of  the  slightest 
use,  therefore  will  not  dilate  upon  it  here  beyond  affirming  our 
belief  in  its  utility  under  such  conditions;  the  inflammation  set 
up  by  the  firing  iron  will  cause  the  dilated  muscular  wall  to  con- 
tract and  so  do  away  with  the  distention.  If  the  dilatation  is  not 
too  large  and  of  long  standing,  continued  pressure  for  a  consider- 
able period  will  sometimes  affect  the  desired  object,  but  the  incon- 
venience to  the  animal  of  such  an  application  would  be  much  more 
serious  than  the  temporary'  pain  inflicted  by  the  cautery,  and 
would  not  prove  so  effectual. 

If  a  horse  swallows  .something  that  will  not  pass  into  the 
stomach  becau.se  it  is  too  large  to  do  so,  and  becomes  fixed  in  the 
gullet,  which  is  occasionally  experienced  with  a  greedy  feeder, 
the  swelling  will  be  plainly  visible;  if  not  .so  by  reason  of  the- 
obstruction  being  in  a  portion  of  the  oesophagus  that  is  not  exposed 
to  ocular  demonstration,  the  horse  refuses  food,  slavers  at  the 
mouth;  if  he  drinks,  the  liquid  returns  through  the  nose;  spas- 
modic contraction  of  the  muscles  of  the  neck  will  be  observable, 
and  the  animal  keeps  on  making  futile  efforts  at  swallowing;  the 
easiest  iiiethod  of  getting  over  this  difficulty  is  to  pass  the  instru- 
ment called  the  probang  down  the  gullet  until  the  obstruction  is 
met  with,  when  great  care  is  called  for  lest  the  mucous  membrane 
be  injured  or  the  muscular  walls  are  ruptured;  the  probang  should 
be  well  oiled,  and  firm  but  gentle  pressure  used  to  move  on  the 
obstacle;  if  possible  this  should  be  entrusted  to  a  veterinary  sur- 
geon, as  the  removal  of  a  foreign  agent  from  such  a  position 
demands  great  care  and  .some  experience. 

GASTRITIS— INFLAMMATION  OF  STOMACH. 

We  now  come  to  consider  the  various  disorders  affecting  the 
fiQjt  important  natural  dilatation  of  the  digestive  tube,  the  stomach; 


GASTRITIS.  163 

this  organ  is  endowed  with  a  special  qualification  that  enables  it 
to  produce  a  secretion  in  the  form  of  a  fluid  which  acts  upon  the 
food,  (after  it  has  been  prepared  in  the  mouth  by  means  of 
mastication  with  the  teeth  and  softening  with  the  saliva),  as  a 
solvent  to  render  it  fit  to  pass  on  into  the  intestines  where  the 
process  of  digestion  is  completed  and  the  alimentary  material  is 
rendered  fit  for  absorption  and  assimilation.  As  this  organ  has 
such  important  functions  to  perform,  there  need  be  little  wonder, 
if  unnatural  liberties  are  taken  with  it,  that  it  should  be  the  seat 
of  various  disorders.  Considering  the  size  of  the  animal,  and 
comparing  the  horse  with  the  ox  and  other  classes  of  animals,  the 
size  of  the  stomach  in  the  equine  division  or  order  is  remarkably 
small;  but  undoubtedl}'  compensation  is  made  in  the  extra 
development  of  the  colon  or  large  intestine,  as  compared  with 
other  classes  of  animals,  a  very  interesting  fact  which  doubtless 
is  explained  in  some  measure  by  the  digestive  processes  peculiar 
to  the  equine  race;  nevertheless  while  physiolog}-  helps  to  clear 
up  these  remarkably  interesting  differences  in  the  development  of 
the  digestive  tract  in  various  classes  of  animals,  it  also  directs  the 
attention  of  the  pathologist  and  therapeutist  to  those  organs  which 
demand  special  consideration  from  the  respective  points  of  view 
of  these  scientists;  the  stomach  of  the  horse  has  proved  a  stumb- 
ling block  to  the  veterinarian  in  more  ways  than  one,  and  depend 
upon  it  the  organ  demands  a  more  careful  and  intelligent  stud}' 
than  it  has  3'et  received  at  the  hands  of  members  of  the  profession, 
if  the  horse  is  to  be  kept  in  health,  and  to  be  saved  very  much  of 
the  suffering  which  countless  numbers  undergo  from  sheer  ignor- 
ance of  the  subject,  and  a  want  of  appreciation  of  its  importance; 
there  are  probably  no  disorders  that  are  productive  of  anything 
like  so  much  pain  and  suffering  among  horses  as  are  those  of  the 
stomach  and  intestines  and  undoubtedly  more  horses  fall  victims 
thereto  than  to  all  the  other  diseases  to  which  they  are  susceptible 
or  liable  put  together;  it  is  therefore  a  matter  of  the  first  importance, 
in  the  interest  of  horse  owners,  that  this  part  of  our  subject  should 
be  fully  dealt  with  and  intelligently  studied.  Primary  inflam- 
mation of  the  stomach  is  not  often  met  with  in  the  horse,  but 
consequent  upon  unwise  and  indiscreet  dieting,  the  stomach 
may  become  impacted  with  a  solid  mass  of  alimentar}'  material  or 
be  distended  by  gas  which  ultimately  results  in  irritation   that 


164  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

produces  inflaniniatiou  of  the  organ  itself  or  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane that  lines  its  walls,  and  is  so  intimately  connected  with  the 
physiological  process  of  gastric  juice  secretion.  Again,  injur}'' 
from  foreign  substances  present  in  the  food  readily  sets  up  in- 
flammation in  this  always  delicate  organ,  and  poisonous  agents 
such  as  Arsenic,  sometimes  indiscreetly  used  by  a  stableman  in 
the  hope  of  producing  a  glossy  coat,  or  Mercur}^  and  Lead  ac- 
cidentally taken  into  the  system,  will  each  set  up  in  its  turn  more 
or  less  inflammation  in  the  organ.  While  not  infrequently  horses 
experience  no  little  damage,  when  turned  out  to  grass,  through 
partaking  of  some  poisonous  herb  or  tree,  such  as  the  yew  for 
instance.  Having  in  view  the  fact  that  there  are  so  many  causes 
that  may  produce  this  dangerous  condition,  it  is  all  the  more  un- 
satisfactory that  the  special  symptoms  of  each  are  not  more 
marked  and  recognizable,  because,  of  course,  when  produced  by 
poisons  the  antidote  is  the  first  thing  to  be  administered;  unfortu- 
nately, however,  we  are  compelled  to  own  that  recognition  is  by 
no  means  easy  and  in  many  cases  absolutel}^  impossible  until  after 
death;  there  are,  however,  one  or  two  suggestive  differences  which 
may  in  some  slight  degree  help  to  furnish  a  clue  to  the  best  course 
of  action  to  be  adopted  under  such  circumstances. 

Vegetable  poisons  exercise  a  marked  influence  upon  the  brain 
and  nervous  system  generally,  producing  at  one  time  violent  con- 
vulsions at  another  stupor  and  coma,  this  may  probably  be  fol- 
lowed by  paralysis  affecting  the  organs  of  locomotion  or  interference 
with  the  co-ordination  of  movement  in  the  limbs;  the  e3^es  at  one 
period  evince  a  wild  look  at  another  are  heavy  and  vsleepy,  the 
breathing  is  hurried,  urgent  and  intermittent. 

Poisoning  by  minerals  is  recognizable  from  the  fact  that  the 
whole  of  the  force  of  the  drugs  seems  to  be  centred  upon  the 
stomach  and  the  intestines;  this  is  evinced  by  pain  about  the 
abdomen,  the  horse  directing  his  attention  to  that  part  of  the  body 
where  he  suffers  most;  a  horse  does  not  so  often  roll  as  in  ordi- 
nar}'  colic,  but  paws  the  ground  and  otherwise  evinces  discomfort 
and  irritation  by  marching  about  the  box  if  loose:  the  respiration 
and  pulse  are  abnormally  hurried,  and  the  heart  beat  is  hard;  the 
animal  has  a  generally  anxious  and  wearisome  sort  of  expression 
on  the  face,  while  sweat  breaks  out  over  different  parts  of  the 
body. 


GASTRITIS.  165 

Nausea  is  apparent  by  a  complete  loss  of  appetite;  and  should 
the  poison  have  been  Arsenic  thirst  is  notable  for  its  contanc}^ 
Avhile  the  animal  partakes  of  a  few  sips  at  a  time;  with  some  other 
minerals  the  thirst  demands  a  large  quantity  at  a  time  but  par- 
taken of  seldom  for  its  slaking.  After  awhile  the  pulse  becomes 
weaker  and  almost  imperceptible;  the  foeces  loose,  attended  in  dis- 
charge with  much  straining;  the  legs  and  extremities  generally 
become  deathly  cold  and  sweat  is  general  over  the  whole  body. 
When  the  poison  belongs  to  minerals  of  the  mercurial  order, 
salivation  is  a  peculiarly  marked  feature,  while  in  copper  the 
muscles  are  subject  to  spasms;  the  internal  temperature  sinks 
below  the  normal,  and  there  is  general  loss  of  power.  If  the 
source  of  the  poison  and  the  nature  of  the  agent  that  has  been 
partaken  of  can  be  discovered,  the  selection  of  an  antidote  is  a 
simple  matter.  For  Mercurials  and  Copper,  white  of  egg  and 
milk;  for  Arsenic,  Peroxide  of  iron;  for  Lead,  Epsom  salts;  for 
the  yew  tree.  Camphor;  for  Ammonia  and  other  Alkaline  agents 
dilute  acid  as  vinegar  or  lemon  juice,  and  for  acids  dilute  Alkali 
such  as  Ammonia,  a  ver>^  small  quantity  to  plent}^  of  water.  By 
way  of  nutriment  at  such  times,  all  .solids  must  absolutely  be  dis- 
pensed with  for  many  days,  and  nutritious  mucilaginous  drinks, 
such  as  milk,  linseed  gruel,  barley  water,  thin  arrow  root,  etc., 
provided  instead. 

Inflammation  of  the  stomach,  as  a  primar)'  disorder,  rarely  pre- 
sents itself  in  the  horse;  but  as  has  already  been  stated,  amono- 
other  causes  an  overloaded  or  impacted  condition  will  set  up  in- 
flammation of  the  organ;  at  the  same  time  the  animal  will  probably 
experience  considerable  pain  and  inconvenience  long  before  inflam- 
mation of  either  the  muscular  walls  or  simply  the  mucous  mem- 
brane lining  them  is  established,  and  the  point  which  the  stableman 
has  to  determine  so  far  as  he  can  is  whether  the  pain  the  horse 
evinces  is  due  to  an  overloaded  state  of  the  stomach  or  to  ordinary 
colic  affecting  the  intestines;  when  in  consequence  of  a  ravenous 
appetite  or  partaking  of  coarse,  indigestible,  unsuitable  food,  the 
stomach  is  filled  to  bursting,  the  process  of  digestion  is  arrested 
and  the  alimentary  material  does  not  pass  on,  symptoms  ver}-  simi- 
lar to  those  already  quoted  will  present  themselves;  such  as,  pawing 
with  the  fore-feet  attempt  at  vomition  accompanied  by  an  escape  of 
gas  through  the  mouth  or  nose;  pain  evinced  by  the  horse  turning  its 


1 66  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

head  frequently  to  the  side;  trembhng  and  shaking  of  the  muscles 
of  the  neck  and  limbs;  partial  sweating,  particularly  about  the 
neck;  extra  secretion  of  saliva  which  escapes  from  the  mouth  in 
abundance,  pulse  hard,  wiry  and  frequent;  the  expression  of  the 
countenance  very  haggard;  horse  rarely  attempts  to  lie  down  as  in 
colic,  indeed,  seems  afraid  to  do  so;  the  matter  of  first  importance 
under  such  circumstances  is  to  restore  to  the  stomach,  which  has 
lost  all  nervous  and  muscular  energy, — hence  the  reason  the  food 
has  become  impacted — its  healthy  tone;  through  being  called  upon 
to  do  too  much  at  once,  the  coats  of  the  organ  are  wearied  out,  they 
refuse  to  respond  to  the  nervous  stimulus;  the  pyloric  orifice 
which  opens  into  the  small  intestines  is  closed,  the  food  that 
ought  to  pass  on  for  further  digestion  is  retained  and  the  viscus  is 
now  more  than  replete  with  alimentary  material;  what  is  to  be 
done?  ordinary  practice  would  suggest  an  aloetic  purge,  but  what 
is  the  use  of  that?  Aloes  act  upon  the  intestines  almost  exclusively; 
we  have  to  deal  with  the  stomach  which  is  already  vSo  full  that 
nothing  will  pass  out  of  it;  therefore,  what  good  will  aloes  do; 
absolutely  none! 

What  is  required  is  a  remedy  that  will  give  tone  and  impart 
renewed  vigour  to  the  muscular  wall  ot  the  stomach,  so  that  the 
pyloric  orifice  will  open  and  the  contents  of  the  organ  be  passed  on 
after  saturation  with  gastric  juice,  into  the  intestines,  and  there  is 
no  drug  better  calculated  or  more  likely  to  effect  this  than  Nux 
vomica  ix,  of  which  ten  drops  in  half  a  wineglassful  of  water 
should  be  given,  and  the  dose  repeated  every  half  hour  until 
relief  is  obtained. 

In  those  cases  where  the  gastritis  is  the  primary  disease  and 
presents  itself  in  the  acute  form,  the  symptoms  are  much  like  those 
already  enumerated,  and  the  question  at  once  arises  how  are  the 
two  forms  to  be  recognized  and  distinguished;  it  is  somewhat 
difficult  but  the  careful  horseman  ought  to  know  whether  the 
animal  has  had  an  opportunity  of  over-filling  the  stomach  with 
either  digestible  or  indigestible  material;  apart  from  that,  the 
symptoms  also  include,  with  these  already  suggested  some  soreness 
of  the  throat,  a  swollen  and  an  infiltrated  condition  of  the  eyelids; 
the  animal  may  also  be  observed  licking  the  walls  of  the  box,  and 
grinding  his  teeth  together;  the  point  of  the  tongue  is  red  but  the 


INDIGESTION.  167 

flat  part  of  the  body  of  that  organ  is  dirty,  white  and  covered 
with  mucus. 

Treatment. — Kali  bichromiacm  3X. — This  is  a  famous  remedy 
for  many  troublesome  cases;  the  peculiar  condition  suggesting  its 
selection  is  best  recognized  when  the  coating  of  the  tongue  is 
5'ellow,  and  the  surface  thereunder,  after  cleaning  off,  very  red; 
further,  when  diarrhoea  is  present  some  remarkable  cures  have 
been  elTected. 

Belladonna  3X  when  complicated  with  a  sore  throat,  swollen 
condition  of  the  eyes  and  discharge  therefrom. 

Mercurius  cor.  3X  when  salivation  is  a  prominent  symptom,  in 
conjunction  with  sore  throat  and  gums;  breath  very  foetid. 

Atiiimonmm  crudum  3X  when  the  eructation  of  gas  is  a  promi- 
nent symptom  and  the  tongue  is  thickly  coated  Avith  a  white 
covering. 

Arsenicum  albnni  3X  when  the  animal  becomes  impoverished 
and  thin;  the  breath  and  excretions  offensive;  the  legs  swell  and 
the  fever  rises;  thirst,  a  little  water  and  often,  is  a  marked  indica- 
tion. 

Niix  vomica  3X  is  such  an  important  stomach  medicine  that  any 
affection  of  the  organ  is  almost  certain  to  furnish  a  number  of 
sj-mptoms  for  which  at  one  time  or  another  this  remedy  is  indi- 
cated ;  those  suggestive  of  its  selection  are  chiefly :  loss  of  appetite ; 
depression  of  spirits;  constipation,  faeces  being  hard  and  coated 
with  slime;  frequent  evidence  of  a  desire  to  pass  dung,  with  some 
difflculty  in  effecting  the  function;  pulse  small,  rapid  and  thin; 
tongue  red  at  sides  and  coated  with  3'ellow  slime  on  the  sur- 
face; internal  temperature  elevated  to  103  degrees  or  104  degrees; 
pain  attested  by  considerable  restlessness. 

Phosphorus  ■^\-^  is  a  remedy  that  proves  useful  in  chronic  cases 
of  gastritis,  where  the  disease  has  been  hanging  about  for  a  con- 
siderable period;  the  most  suggestive  symptoms  are  vomiting, 
flatulence,  hunger  that  cannot  be  appeased,  dysentery  and  constant 
straining,  the  faeces  being  coated  with  mucus,  blood  and  slime, 
wasting  and  continuous  fever. 

INDIGESTION— DYSPEPSIA. 

Indigestion,  like  many  other  diseases,  assumes  two  forms,  acute 
and  chronic;  the  latter  is  generally  a  sequel  of  the  former;   acute 


1 68  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

indigestion  is  brought  on  in  the  first  place  by  overloading  the 
stomach  beyond  its  capacit}^  with  nutritious  food,  or  by  over  re- 
pletion with  material  of  inferior  quality;  it  has  already  been 
pointed  out  in  a  previous  chapter,  that  errors  are  frequently  com- 
mitted by  stablemen,  when  by  way  of  compensating  for  many 
hours  of  abstinence  large  quantities  of  food  are  put  before  a  horse, 
under  the  impression  that  extra  work  calls  for  an  increase  of  food 
supply;  but  we  take  this  opportunity  to  again  point  out  that  at  such 
times  the  digestive  functions,  like  all  the  vital  powers  are  wearied, 
depressed  and  unequal  to  extra  work ;  that  at  such  times  and  under 
such  circumstances  great  care  and  circumspection  should  be  exer- 
cised to  avoid  the  untoward  consequences  which  so  frequently  fol- 
low well-intentioned  but  injudicious  management  of  this  kind; 
at  such  times  a  horse  necessarily  feels  faint  and  hungry  and  un- 
less a  higher  intelligence  is  brought  to  bear  regulating  the  amount 
of  food  to  be  partaken  of,  will  eat  voraciously,  overload  the 
stomach  to  such  an  extent  that  the  function  of  digestion  will  be 
arrested  and  distension  follows  as  a  natural  consequence;  the  re- 
sult is  pain,  evinced  by  constant  pawing  with  the  fore  feet;  the 
food  instead  of  digesting  ferments  in  the  viscus  and  large  quanti- 
ties of  gas  are  formed,  when  the  horse  protrudes  his  head  and 
makes  efforts  at  eructation,  sometimes  accompanied  b}'  vomition 
of  fluid  material  through  the  nasal  passages;  as  the  pain  becomes 
more  severe,  the  animal  will  throw  itself  down  with  violence  and 
roll  about  in  too  evident  agony,  occasionally  resting  on  the  breast 
bone,  with  both  fore  legs  bent  into  position  as  though  it  intended 
to  rise;  great  anxiety  will  be  apparent  in  the  countenance,  with 
considerable  though  partial  sweats  over  the  neck  and  body.  If 
the  stomach  is  not  relieved  by  a  discharge  of  its  contents,  the 
animal  becomes  sympathetically  affected  in  the  brain,  stupor  and 
partial  unconsciousness  supervening,  as  is  indicated  by  the  hang- 
ing down  of  its  head  or  pressing  the  same  against  the  wall;  a  loss 
of  control  over  the  powers  of  movement  is  also  e\-inced  and  the 
pulse  is  full  and  resistant;  this  condition  represents  what  used  to 
be  described  as  stomach  STAGGERS. 

The  acute  cases  of  indigestion  in  which  prompt  action  for  relief 
is  called  for  are  much  rarer  than  the  chronic  form  of  the  disease, 
which  comes  on  as  the  result  of  injudicious  feeding,  and  mild 
forms  of  engorgment  which  the  animal  manages  to  get  over  with- 


INDIGESTION.  1 69 

out  experiencing-  the  more  formidable  symptoms  just  enumerated; 
or  again  by  an  unhealthy  condition  of  the  mucous  membrane 
and  glands  of  the  stomach,  in  consequence  of  which  the  gastric 
and  other  secretions  are  Avanting  in  quantity  or  quality;  such 
cases  as  these  develop  gradually  and  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
render  it  difficult  to  recognize  the  real  cause  of  the  disorder;  the 
attention  is  first  drawn  to  the  unthriftiness  of  the  horse's  coat,  the 
appetite  is  capricious;  the  animal  loses  condition  and  has  a 
tucked-up  appearance;  a  very  little  exertion  causes  profuse  sweat- 
ing; the  dung  is  very  irregular  in  consistence,  at  one  time  voided 
in  hard,  blackish  lumps  and  at  another  soft,  coated  with  mucus 
and  very  offensive  to  the  smell;  the  food,  especially  oats,  passes 
whole  and  undigested;  the  urine  is  scanty  and  high  colored  or  de- 
posits a  white  sediment;  the  horse  evinces  also  a  depraved  appetite 
by  eating  dirty,  soiled  bedding,  and  licking  lime  washed  walls  or 
picking  up  gravel  off  the  road;  the  latter  practices  are  very  sug- 
gestive of  a  Crib  Biter  and  Wind  Sucker,  especially  when  ac- 
companied by  acid  eructations  and  unusual  thirst;  the  opinions 
held  by  eminent  veterinarians  as  to  the  cause  of  these  troublesome 
and  very  bad  habits  are  various,  but  we  believe  that  they  are  in- 
variably due  in  the  first  instance  to  chronic  indigestion;  the  horse 
experiences  these  acid  eructations,  due  probably  to  an  unhealthy 
condition  of  the  gastric  secretion;  what  in  the  human  subject  is 
described  as  heart-burn  is  experienced  by  the  animal  and  to 
obtain  relief  from  the  unpleasant  sensation,  it  learns  the  habit  of 
drawing  in  cool  air  which  it  endeavors  to  swallow  with  a  view  to 
alleviation;  further,  instinct  teaches  the  animal  that  by  firmly  lay- 
ing hold  of  some  rigid  structure  such  as  a  manger,  the  position 
attained  produces  a  vacuum  in  the  gullet  down  which  the  cool  air 
rushes;  as  a  natural  sequence  to  this  proceeding  the  stomach  is  over- 
filled with  atmospheric  air,  and  the  animal,  to  obtain  relief,  en- 
deavors to  belch  it  up  again;  in  consequence  of  this  unnatural 
proceeding,  which  only  affords  temporary  relief  to  the  unpleasant 
burning  sensation  in  the  oesophagus  (or  gullet)  the  powers  of  diges- 
tion are  still  further  impaired,  the  food  is  never  properly  assimi- 
lated, and  hence  the  loss  of  flesh  and  condition.  Having  attached 
a  good  deal  of  blame  to  unwholesome  and  innutritious  food  as 
causes  of  gastric  derangement,  we  must  also  draw  attention  to  the 
fact  that  too  much  stimulating  food,  such  as  beans  or  other  mem- 


lyo  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

bers  of  the  leguminous  order  are  not  infrequently  responsible  for 
indigestion,  inasmuch  as  they  make  too  much  demand  upon  the 
secreting  powers  of  the  viscus  and  impair  the  nervous  energy, 
whereby  the  expulsive  movement  of  the  muscular  walls  is  lost 
and  the  contents  are  not  passed  on  as  they  should  be. 

The  practice  of  giving  horses  cooked  food  is  one  that  cannot  be 
commended,  and  should  only  be  resorted  to  under  very  excep- 
tional circumstances,  such  as  may  be  indicated  in  certain  forms  of 
illness;  the  objection  is  mainly  that  the  animal  is  encouraged  to 
swallow  the  food  without  mastication,  without  which,  of  course, 
little  or  no  saliva  is  secreted,  and  the  alimentary  material  is  thus 
passed  into  the  stomach  devoid  of 'that  essential  element  in  the 
digestive  process;  moreover  the  food  is  swallowed  too  rapidly  and 
thus  the  stomach  becomes  overloaded  and  distended;  the  food  in- 
stead of  being  softened  by  the  saliva  is  rendered  moist  with  a 
liquid  that  rather  tends  to  counteract  the  action  of  the  gastric 
juice  and  certainly  dilute  it,  so  that  the  material  is  rendered  un- 
fit to  pass  on  to  the  intestines  for  the  completion  of  the  digestive 
process;  it  will  thus  be  apparent  that  this  also  is  conducive  of  in- 
digestion and  is  a  practice  to  be  avoided.  In  young  animals  be- 
tween the  ages  of  two  and  four  years,  it  should  be  remembered 
that  the  teeth  may  also  be  responsible  for  some  cases  of  indigestion, 
as  the  food  is  not  properh^  masticated  but  is  swallowed  in  a  con- 
dition quite  unfit  for  gastric  digestion,  in  consequence  of  these  ir- 
regularities; the  mouth  should  therefore  be  examined,  and  should 
it  prove  that  dentition  is  backward  or  is  not  proceeding  with  ordi- 
nary healthy  regularity  the  treatment  must  be  directed  towards 
the  repairment  of  this  difficulty,  not  so  much  by  the  extraction  of 
the  offending  organs  as  by  the  administration  of  a  remedy  that 
will  foster  their  normal  maturation. 

RUPTURE  OF  THE  STOMACH. 

This  is  a  condition  of  affairs  that  admits  of  no  alleviation  either 
surgically  or  therapeutically  and  we  include  it  in  our  list  of  ail- 
ments only  to  enable  horsemen  to  detect  the  condition  and  so 
enable  them  to  form  conclusions  as  to  possible  hopes  of  recovery 
when  cases  of  this  description  comes  under  notice. 

By  some  veterinarians  vomition  is  considered  as  a  certain  indi- 
cation that  rupture  of  the  stomach  has  taken  place,  but  this  can- 


RUPTURE    OF   THE   STOMACH.  171 

not  be  accepted  as  a  positively  reliable  symptcm,  as  vomiting 
has  been  known  to  take  place  when  the  diaphragm  or  intestines 
have  post  mortem  exhibited  a  rupture,  while  the  stomach  was  in- 
tact; moreover  the  stomach  has  been  found  ruptured  after  death 
while  during  life  no  symptoms  of  vomiting  were  presented. 

The  late  Professor  Robertson,  whose  experience  was  very  con- 
siderable, states  in  his  ''''  Equine  Medicine''  that  "with  regard  to 
the  relation  of  the  symptoms  of  vomition  or  attempt  at  vomition, 
to  the  actual  occurrence  of  the  ruptures  there  has  been  considerable 
speculation  and  little  certainty.  Many  have  regarded  the  existence 
of  the  lesion  as  incompatible  with  any  action  of  the  organ  approach- 
ing to  what  may  be  looked  upon  as  vomitiou;  that  with  the  walls 
of  the  stomach  torn,  there  could  be  no  effort  made  for  the  eject- 
ment of  what  material  was  contained  in  it,  and  that  consequently 
the  symptom  of  vomition,  where  existing,  was  alwa^'s  a  symptom 
antecedent  to  the  occurrence  of  the  lesion.  Of  the  correctness  of  this 
we  are  far  from  being  satisfied;  it  proceeds  upon  assumptions  we 
can  scarceh'  admit,  such  as  the  necessity  of  a  stomach  ere  vomition 
can  be  accomplished,  the  impossibility  with  a  rent  in  its  walls  of 
pressure  being  exercised  upon  its  contained  materials,  or  of  relaxa- 
tion of  its  cardiac  opening.  To  our  mind  these  latter  conditions 
will  altogether  depend  upon  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  rupture, 
and  the  relation  of  the  viscus  to  other  influences,  nervous  and 
muscular.  The  lesion  can  certainly  be  conceived  of  as  being  of 
such  a  character  that  its  interference  with  forcible  contraction  of 
the  muscular  tissue  and  lessening  of  the  capacity  would  not  be 
obsolute  and  complete.  While  from  observ'atiou  made  on  many 
cases  shortly  previous  to  death,  and  immediately  afterwards,  there 
appears  satisfactory  evidence  that  rupture  and  escape  of  ingesta 
into  the  peritoneal  cavity  may  exist  sometimes  antecedent  to  the 
exhibition  of  attempts  at  vomition.  In  some  of  these  there  has 
been  ample  evidence  of  inflammatory  action  consequent  on  the 
escape  of  contained  material  into  the  abdominal  cavity,  and 
changes  which  could  not  possibly  have  occurred  under  a  period  of 
several  hours,  while  not  long  prior  to  death  we  had  attempts  at 
vomition  with  ejection  of  material  from  the  nose.  Again  it  is 
equally  certain  that  actual  vomition  has  occurred  during  the  simple 
repletion  and  distension  of  the  stomach  without  any  rupture  of 
its  walls,  seeing  that   following  the  vomition  and  discharge  of 


172  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

ingesta  from  the  nostrils  we  have  had  perfect  recovery  of  the 
animal.  Thus  while  we  do  not  appear  to  be  in  a  position  to  give  a 
distinct  and  incontrovertible  opinion  as  to  the  exact  relationship 
which  the  symptom  of  vomition  or  attempted  vomition  bears  to 
rupture  of  the  stomach,  there  is  yet  ample  reason  why  we  should 
as  a  general  rule,  particularly  when  thissj-mptom  is  collateral  with 
others,  still  continue  to  regard  it  as  one  of  the  most  important. ' ' 
From  the  foregoing  ver}^  valuable  and  important  piece  of  reason- 
ing, it  will  be  seen  that  the  late  professor,  while  not  placing  im- 
plicit reliance  upon  vomition  as  symptomatic  of  a  ruptured  stomach, 
evidently  considered  it  an  important  and  suggestive  indication; 
and  to  render  some  further  aid  in  clearing  up  the  symptomatology 
of  this  condition,  we  may  add  that  wdien  in  conjunction  with 
vomition,  or  attempted  vomition,  the  following  indications  are  pre- 
sent, it  will  be  safe  to  conclude  that  little  hope  remains  of  saving 
the  life  of  ahorse  under  such  circumstances;  and  the  symptoms 
corroborative  of  this  condition  are:  respirations  gradually  becomes 
weaker  and  the  animal  every  now  and  again  heaves  a  deep  sigh; 
the  pulse  becomes  weaker  and  less  frequent  in  the  beat;  the  coun- 
tenance assumes  an  anxious  appearance;  exhibits  signs  of  pain 
and  great  uneasiness;  the  visible  mucous  membrane  becomes 
pallid,  the  mouth  and  tongue  cold  and  clammy;  as  death  ap- 
proaches the  uneasiness  ceases,  the  horse  stands  in  one  position, 
with  head  depressed  apparently  nearly  unconscious,  ultimately 
drops  and  dies. 

If  there  is  a  disinclination  on  the  part  of  an  owner  to  put  an 
end  to  the  scene  with — in  this  sort  of  case — the  merciful  bullet, 
then  nothing  remains  but  to  render  the  last  end  comparatively 
easy  by  the  subcutaneous  injection  of  Morphia,  that  is  to  say, 
when  it  is  quite  clear  no  hope  of  betterment  by  medical  treat- 
ment seems  at  all  likely. 

General  Treatment. — Hydrastis  ca7i.  9.  For  dyspepsia  or  in- 
digestion, this  is  one  of  the  finest  remedies  in  the  pharmacopoeia, 
and  provided  common  caution  is  exercised  to  avoid  improper  diet, 
primary  cases  of  indigestion  will  almost  invariably  yield  to  this 
agent,  and  the  horse  rapidly  put  on  condition. 

Arsenicum  album  3X  when  attempts  at  vomition  are  made  in 
the  early  stages,  which  are  possibly  due  to  an  ulcerated  condition 
of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  stomach,  and  tlmt,  notwithstand- 


RUPTURE   OF   THE   STOjMACH.  1 73 

ing  the  previous  remarks  aneiit  vomitioii  and  ruptures,  it  is  prob- 
able that  this  remedy  would  save  the  rupture,  which,  when  it 
does  occur,  is  sure  to  be  present  in  a  weak  spot  of  the  w^alls  of 
the  stomach,  such  as  that  where  an  ulcer  has  been  present;  should 
the  horse  be  affected  with  any  skin  disease,  other  than  one  of 
those  due  to  external  parasites,  this  will  .serve  as  an  additional 
indication  for  this  remedy. 

Carbo  vcgetabilis  3X.  This  is  a  most  useful  remedy  to  check 
fermentation  and  alia}-  that  form  of  indigestion  which  is  accom- 
panied with  acidity  and  flatulence;  in  cases  where  a  horse  has 
eaten  voraciously,  and  distended  the  stomach  to  that  extent  that 
it  is  well  nigh  bursting,  as  indicated  in  symptomatology,  the  pure 
vegetable  charcoal  may  with  advantage  be  given,  a  tablespoon- 
ful  being  carefully  mixed  in  a  pint  of  water  and  administered; 
this  will  act  mechanically  by  arresting  the  formation  of  gas 
from  the  fermenting  material  and  as  a"  detergent  of  the  mucous  metn- 
brane'''  (Hughes).  We  have  had  several  very  satisfactory  in- 
stances of  cure  by  the  aid  of  this  remedy  of  chronic  indigestion 
and  have  found  it  specially  useful  in  the  attenuated  form — third 
decimal — in  cases  of  crib  biting  and  wind  sucking.  Further,  we 
are  able  to  confirm  Dr.  Hughes'  symptom,  that  Carbo  veg.  is  in- 
dicated in  cases  of  flatulent  dyspepsia  attended  with  looseness  of 
the  bowels,  rather  than  constipation. 

Carbolic  acid  i-s..  In  view  of  the  complicated  and  uncertain 
condition  of  things  when  vomiting  is  present,  it  is  highly  import- 
ant to  test  any  remedies  on  the  horse  that  have  any  power  to 
produce  vomiting,  in  the  hope  that  a  cure  may  be  affected  before 
a  rupture  of  the  stomach  takes  place;  and  in  Carbolic  acid\v&  have 
such  an  agent.  Vomition  accompanied  by  the  formation  of  gas 
in  the  stomach,  as  evidenced  by  the  horse  belching  up  wind 
through  the  gullet  and  frequently  taking  long  breaths  or  sighing, 
indicate  this  remedy.  Should  the  urine  be  scanty,  thick  and 
albuminous  and  the  eye  lids  be  swollen  and  red  confirmatory  in- 
dications of  its  appropriateness  are  supplied. 

Alumina  3X.  We  include  this  remedy  in  the  list,  as  we  once 
had  an  interesting  case  of  chronic  dj-spepsia  in  an  old  hunter  in 
whom  a  most  satisfactory  cure  was  effected.  We  were  led  to  its 
selection  by  reason  of  the  peculiar  dryness  of  the  fasces  and  the 
presence  of  a  hard,  dry  cough;  it  is  specially  useful  in  cases  where 


174  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

the  gastric  juice  is  deficient,  and  we  believe  this  was  the  case  with 
our  patient;  he  had  been  previously  dosed  ad  nauseam  with 
Aloes,  but  all  to  no  purpose;  a  week's  treatment  with  Alumina, 
two  doses  a  day,  served  to  effect  a  most  satisfactory  cure. 

Kali  bichromiciim  3X.  Cases  of  chronic  indigestion,  attended 
with  troublesome  diarrhoea  and  the  tongue  coated  with  a  yellow, 
fur  which,  if  removed,  leaves  behind  a  raw  surface,  will  generally 
yield  to  this  drug. 

Nux  vomica  3X.  No  treatise  on  dyspepsia  would  be  complete 
that  did  not  include  this  remedy  among  its  prescriptions;  indeed, 
so  great  has  the  faith  of  sincere  homoeopathists  been  in  '  'Nux  vom. 
for  indigestion  "  that  we  have  known  cases — not  a  few — where 
disappointment  has  followed  its  use  and  some  discredit  brought 
upon  Hahnemann's  system  in  consequence  of  the  blind  faith  put 
in  this  drug  for  all  sorts  of  cases  of  indigestion;  Nux  vomica,  like 
every  other  remedial  agent,  has  its  own  field  of  operation,  and  the 
following  may  be  accepted  roughly  as  the  symptoms  which  indi- 
cate its  selection:  Pain,  accompanied  by  some  distension;  faeces 
hard  and  difficult  of  expulsion,  frequent  attempts  to  effect  a  pas- 
sage with  much  straining;  retching  occasionally,  but  not  neces- 
sarily, occurs;  the  animal  becomes  dull,  heavy  and  comatose ;  flatu- 
lence and  acid-smelling  eructations  are  observable;  the  back  part 
of  the  tongue,  only,  is  coated  with  fur;  the  horse  absolutely  refuses 
all  kinds  of  food,  nor  is  much  water  required. 

THE  INTESTINES. 

Before  attempting  to  describe  the  various  disorders  affecting 
this  part  of  the  digestive  tract,  we  may  with  advantage  explain 
how  anatomists  artificially  divide  the  canal  for  the  sake  of  distinc- 
tion. The  small  intestines  which  commence  at  the  opening  out 
of  the  stomach  called  the  pyloric  orifice  consist  of  three  divisions; 
the  first  known  as  the  duodenum  which,  as  the  horse  stands,  pro- 
ceeds in  an  upward  direction,  over  the  rounded  surface  of  the 
liver,  supported  by  a  mesh-like  membrane  called  the  omentum; 
the  duodenum  here  receives  the  duct  or  tube  which  conveys  the 
bile  from  the  li^'er  and  the  juice  from  the  pancreas,  both  of  which 
have  been  referred  to  as  essential  products  for  the  completion  of 
digestion;  this  tube  enters  the  duodenum,  about  five  or  six  inches 
from  the  pyloric   opening;    the  duodenum  then  passes  over  the 


THE    INTESTINES.  1 75 

pancreas  and  here  forms  a  curve  round  that  organ,  passes  under 
the  spinal  column  and  terminates;  the  next  portions  of  the  intes- 
tines are  the  jejunum  and  ileum,  which  hang  loosel}^  in  the  fatt}^ 
membrane  called  the  mesentery  terminating  on  the  right  side  of 
the  animal  not  far  from  the  region  of  the  kidneys  at  the  ileo-caecal 
valve,  the  latter  provision  (the  valve)  being  evidently  intended  to 
prevent  food  passing  back  from  the  large  to  the  small  intestines; 
here  commences  the  large  intestines,  which  in  the  horse  are  very 
considerable  and  occupy  by  far  the  largest  portion  of  the  abdomi- 
nal cavity;  the  caecum  is  like  an  egg-shaped  bag,  the  base  of  which 
is  situate  at  the  right  side,  extending  forwards,  though  rather  to 
the  left,  on  the  floor  of  the  abdomen;  it  is  sufficiently  large  to 
hold  several  gallons  of  water,  from  four  to  six,  according  to  the 
size  of  the  horse,  and  it  is  generally  considered  that  the  large 
draughts  of  water  which  horses  sometimes  consume,  pass  direct 
into  this  organ;    if  this  conclusion  be  correct — and  there  is  good 
reason  to  believe  that  it  is — it  points  to  the  desirability  of  watering 
an  animal  before  giving  it  any  food,  otherwise  some  portions  of 
the  undigested  or  only  partly  digested  alimentary  material  may 
get  washed  into  the  caecum,  an  organ  which,  unlike  the  small  in- 
testines, does  not  possess  any  glands  capable  of  secreting  digestive 
juices.     At  the  point  where  the  small  intestine  opens  into  the 
caecum  the  large  intestine  known  as  the  double  colon  commences 
at  a  junction  described  as  the  "  ccrcum  caput  coif  ;  after  a  short 
distance  a  large  portion  of  intestine  takes  a  turn  and  passes  for- 
ward as  far  as  the  diaphragm  on  the  right  side;  here  it  bends  over 
to  the  left  one,  and  then,  after  passing  in  a  backward  direction 
turns  once  more  at  what  is  described  as  the  sigmoid  flexure;  it 
proceeds  yet  again  in  a  forward  direction,  then  diverges  to  the 
left  and  blends  itself  into  the  single  colon,  which  hangs  loosely  in 
the  posterior  portion  of  the  abdomen  and  terminates  in  the  rectum 
and  anus.     It  will,  from  this  description,  be  gleaned  how  exten- 
sive a  surface  the  intestinal  canal  represents;  and  what  with  the 
muscular  coats  and  the  internal  lining  of  mucous  membrane  of 
same,  each  of  which  is  liable  to  get  out  of  order,  there  is  little 
wonder  that  the  digestive  tract  of  the  horse  presents  opportunities 
for    the  development  of   painful    conditions   oft  times  resulting 
fatally;     for,    as   has   already  been  averred,  the  intestinal  tract 


176  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

is  too  often  treated,  by  those  who  ought  to  know  better,  as  though 
it  were  a  metal  tube  with  neither  sensibility  nor  susceptibility. 

INTESTINAL  OBSTRUCTION. 

The  title  explains  itself;  the  intestinal  tract  consists  of  a  tube  of 
variable  size;  the  alimentary  material  has  to  pass  along  the  wiiole 
length — probably  forty  feet  or  more — of  this  tube,  some  of  which 
is  withdrawn  for  nutrition  and  rebuilding  of  the  system  while  the 
remainder  is  passed  on  and  evacuated  as  solid  faecal  matter.  Dur- 
ing the  process  an  accumulation  may  easily  be  collected,  either 
through  an  unhealthy  condition  of  the  mucous  membrane,  to 
which  it  adheres,  or  some  other  cause,  and  at  this  point  the  tube 
becomes  blocked  up;  an  obstruction  is  established.  Yet  again,  an 
obstruction  may  be  due  to  a  displacement  of  the  intestines,  es- 
pecially in  tliose  parts  where  they  hang  free  and  loose  in  the 
margins  of  the  mesenter}-;  one  of  the  most  common  and  frequently 
observed  conditions  of  the  intestines  is  a  twist,  in  which  the  in- 
testine becomes  entangled  in  itself;  another  similar  condition  is 
observed  through  the  mesentery  being  torn  (the  mesentery  is  a 
fibro-fatty  membrane  which  is  attached  to  the  spine  and  to  which 
the  intestines  areslung)  and  a  portion  of  the  intestines  passing 
through  the  rent;  in  some  mysterious  manner  the  intestines  form 
a  loop  and  get  tied  into  a  knot.  Once  more,  one  part  of  the  in- 
testines passes  within  that  which  is  continuous  with  it;  this  is 
known  as  intussusception  or  invagination.  We  shall  presently 
deal  with  the  condition  known  as  colic,  but  it  may  be  as  well  to 
state  in  passing  that  many  cases  which  are  considered  in  the  first 
instance  to  be  merely  colic  ultimately  turn  out  to  be  twist,  in- 
carceration or  intussusception  of  some  portion  of  the  intestines, 
while  still  another  form  of  obstruction  frequently  met  with  is  the 
presence  of  a  calculus  (or  stone),  Avhich  gets  wedged  into  an  open- 
ing where  a  large  portion  of  the  tube  suddenly  merges  into  one 
much  smaller,  as  is  the  case  when  the  double  colon  is  continued 
by  the  single  colon,  and  this  is  a  very  favorite  spot  for  large  cal- 
culi to  become  fixed  and  immovable.  It  will  perhaps  facilitate  the 
better  understanding  of  the  matter  if  a  short  explanation  be  given 
how  it  is  the  alimentary  material  keeps  moving  along  this  tube;  it 
must  be  remembered  the  muscular  coat  of  the  intestines  consists 
of  two  layers;  the  outer  layer  consisting  of  fibres  placed  longitud- 


INTESTINAL    OBSTRUCTION.  I  77 

inally,  and  the  inner  layer  of  fibres  placed  transversely;  by  this 
arrangement  the  muscular  contractions,  which  are  brought  about 
by  a  stimulus  furnished  from  the  nervous  system,  alternate,  thus 
producing  first  an  enlargement  and  then  a  contraction  of  the  tube 
in  consequence  of  which  the  alimentary  contents  are  gradually 
pushed  on;  it  should  be  observed,  however,  that  these  said  con- 
tractions and  dilatations  of  the  tube  proceed  and  follow  one  an- 
other like  the  waves  of  the  sea  and  are  not  continuous  from  one 
end  of  the  intestines  to  the  other,  as  one  movement;  in  this  man- 
ner the  food  passes  slowly  and  steadily  along  the  digestive  canal, 
meaijwhile  mingling  with  its  secretions  and  being  absorbed,  as 
digestion  is  completed,  through  the  various  openings  and  blood- 
vessels of  the  lining  mucous  membrane.  In  dealing  with  these 
various  forms  of  intestinal  obstructions  it  may  be  as  well  to  take 
that  which,  in  certain  places,  occurs  very  frequently,  namely  the 
presence  of  a  calculus  (or  .stone);  in  our  experience  these  in- 
testinal concretions,  which  vary  in  consistence  from  material 
formed  by  the  accumulation  round  a  centre  of  undigestible  prov^- 
ender  to  that  which  is  as  hard  and  brittle  as  a  flint  and  also  in 
bulk  from  the  size  of  a  small  pebble  to  an  ordinary  cannon  ball 
are  found  more  often  in  horses  belonging  to  millers  and  corn 
factors  than  anywhere  else,  and  we  attribute  this  to  the  probable 
fact,  that  bran  is  a  staple  commodity  of  food  with  owners  of  this 
class  or  trade;  we  could  quote  quite  a  number  of  instances,  were 
it  necessary,  in  proof  of  this  opinion,  in  which  after  discontinu- 
ance of  bran  as  an  ordinary  article  of  diet  the  presence  of  intes- 
tinal calculi  never  thereafter  w^as  discovered,  and  certainly  no  losses 
by  death  from  this  cause  were  experienced;  inasmuch  as  bran  con- 
tains or  consists  of  a  very  large  proportion  of  mineral  matter,  it 
is  quite  within  the  bounds  of  reason  that  the  animal  partaking  of 
undue  proportions  of  this  diet  should  be  unable  to  assimilate  a 
chemical  constituent  of  this  character  when  the  same  was  present 
in  superabundant  quantities,  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  a  hind- 
rance to  its  evacuation  might  arise  by  reason  of  the  chemical 
action  of  the  intestinal  secretions  thereupon;  hence  the  tendency 
to  accumulate  and  deposit  around  a  nucleus,  in  the  way  of  a 
small  nail,  pebble  or  other  foreign  substance,  such  as  are  fre- 
quently found  in  the  large  colon  of  the  horse;  and  this  formation 
once   established    usually    continues   until   one   large  calculus  is 


178  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

formed,  and  not  infrequently  quite  a  quantity  of  small  ones,  of 
varying  sizes,  in  addition.  It  is  probably  hardly  necessary  to  state 
that  unless  the  calculus  passes  from  the  large  double  colon  into 
the  single  colon  before  it  becomes  too  large  to  occupy  the  lumen 
of  the  latter  portion  of  the  intestines  there  is  no  other  method  of 
relieving  the  animal  of  the  diflSculty  other  than  by  surgical  opera- 
tion, by  effecting  an  opening  through  the  walls  of  the  abdomen; 
we  believe  that  a  few  very  bold  surgical  operators  have  attempted 
this  as  a  deurier-resort,  but  we  cannot  from  personal  experience 
speak  as  to  the  probable  success  of  what  looks  like  a  very  venture- 
some operation;  at  the  same  time  we  are  strongly  of  opinion  that  the 
horse  will  bear  surgical  interference  with  the  contents  of  the  ab- 
domen far  better  than  the  teaching  of  the  past  would  induce  one 
to  anticipate;  be  that  how  it  may,  however,  such  an  operation  could 
only  be  undertaken  by  one  trained  in  the  art  of  surgery  and  the 
consideration  of  the  subject  does  not  consequently  come  within 
the  bounds  of  this  work.  The  question  then  arises,  to  what  extent 
can  therapeutics  aid  in  solving  the  diflSculty,  and  we  regret  to  add 
that  in  the  event  of  a  calculus  being  present  which  is  too  large  to 
pass  through  the  single  colon  only  temporary  alleviation  can  be 
afforded;  ultimately  the  calculus  is  certain  to  become  fixed  in  the 
opening  where  the  double  colon  merges  into  the  single  colon,  the 
constriction  in  the  size  of  the  canal  being  at  this  point  very  marked 
and  sudden;  the  peristaltic  action  of  the  intestines  forces  the  calcu- 
lus into  this  position  and  there  it  is  retained,  unless  a  violent  or  sud- 
den reverse  peristalisis  can  be  established  to  cause  the  muscular 
walls  of  the  large  colon  to  relax  their  grip  of  the  stone,  and  it 
thence  falls  back  into  the  bottom  of  the  large  colon,  but  only  in  due 
course  to  go  through  the  same  process  once  again ;  at  the  same 
time  every  horse  owner  would  undoubtedly  prefer  the  off  chance 
of  a  temporary  cure  to  having  his  animal  destroyed  on  the 
ipse  dixit  of  the  most  experienced  veterinarian  of  the  day.  The 
remedy  we  have  found  capable  of  effecting  the  desired  object  is 
Niix  vomica  ix,  ihe  dose  to  be  repeated  every  hour  until  relief  is 
obtained;  assistance  may  be  afforded  three  or  four  times  for  the 
same  animal,  periodical  attacks  coming  on  every  two  or  three 
months,  but  in  the  end  it  generally  happens  that  the  stone  be- 
comes so  firmly  wedged  into  the  lumen  of  the  colon,  at  the  point 
already  referred  to,  that  it  is  immovable  and  results  in  the  death 


INTESTINAL   OBSTRUCTION.  I79 

of  the  horse  after  about  twelve  hours  of  the  most  excruciating 
agony.  In  cases  where  the  A^ux  vomica  treatment  does  not  avail 
in  two  or  three  hours  to  effect  relief,  at  all  events  in  some  degree, 
and  the  animal  seems  to  be  getting  worse  and  experiencnig  severe 
attacks  of  pain,  evincing  growing  weakness  and  prostration,  it  is 
better  to  anticipate  the  worst,  and  afford  the  poor  animal  some  ease 
by  the  administration  of  an  anaesthetic,  such  as  two  ounces  of 
Chloral  hydrate  dissolved  in  a  quarter  pint  of  water  and  given  per 
mouth,  or  repeated  subcutaneous  injections  of  Morphia — this,  for 
humanity's  sake,  is  the  course  w^e  adopt  where  the  prospect  of  a 
temporary  cure  seems  unpromising. 

Next  in  importance  to  calculi  (or  stones)  so  far  as  frequency  of 
occurrence  may  be  accepted  as  a  guide  in  estimating  the  import- 
ance of  the  various  forms  of  intestinal  obstruction  met  wnth  in  the 
horse,  we  should  allot  the  position  to  "  twist  "  (or  entanglement 
•  of  some  portion  of  the  intestine  upon  itself).     It  is  not  so  difficult, 
as  may  at  first  sight  appear,  to  diagnose  a  case  of  ticist  from  the 
symptoms  which  will  hereafter  be  presented  under  one  classifica- 
tion, the  single  classification  being  adopted  to  avoid  unnecessarj^ 
repetition;  there  are  one  or  two  special  symptoms  that  serve  to 
differentiate  between  twist  and  the  presence  of  a  calculus,  which 
we  shall  point  out  later  on  under  the  general  classification  of 
symptoms  in  intestinal  obstruction.     When  the  tn'ist  takes  place 
in  the  single  colon  or  in  the  posterior  portion  of  the  double  colon 
examination  per  rectum  occasionally  reveals  the  condition ;  having 
thrust  the  arm  up  as  far  as  one  can  reach,  it  will  distinguish  the 
presence  of  a  twist  by  the  cord-like  state  of  the  intestine,  and  the 
obstruction  will  prevent  the  hand  passing  beyond  the  point  where 
this  is  perceptible;  the  position  of  the  twist  can  be  determined  by 
the  direction  taken  by  the  aforesaid  cord-like  condition;  which 
ever  way  the  cord  turns,  either  to  the  right  or  left,  the  portion  of 
the  bowel  that  involves  the  entanglement  must  come  from  the 
opposite   direction,   and   it  is   possible  by  closing   the  fist,    and 
thrusting  it  well  into  the  obstruction  to  swing  the  entangled  por- 
tion to  and  fro  and  ultimately  by  a  vigorous  effort  to  throw  it  back 
again  into  its  natural  position;  we  are  well  aw^are  that  by  many 
veterinarians  such  a  result  is  considered  impossible  of  realization, 
but  from  experience  we  are  satisfied  that  it  can  be  done,  having 
had  the  most  satisfactory  proof  of  the  possibility  in  more  cases 


l8o  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

than  one;  to  mention  a  single  case  will  probably  be  sufficient  for 
our  present  purpose;  we  had  been  in  attendance  upon  a  brewer's 
horse,  one  of  the  heavy  class  of  animals  used  by  this  trade;  the 
animal  had  been  in  great  pain  for  six  hours  without  intermission, 
everything  had  been  done  that  was  possible  to  alleviate  suffering 
but  without  avail;  the  pains  were  continuous  and  increasing, 
already  we  had  made  several  examinations  per  rectum  without 
observing  anything,  and  as  matters  were  becoming  more  and 
more  serious  and  the  pain  growing  acute,  we  determined  to  make 
one  more  manual  examination;  on  this  occasion  we  distinctly  dis- 
covered the  cord-like  condition  already  described,  and  adopted  the 
measures  for  replacement  herein  suggested;  the  swinging  to  and 
fro  of  the  entangled  portion  of  the  intestine  followed  by  its  falling 
over  into  the  natural  position,  as  the  result  of  the  jerk  given  by 
the  arm  to  effect  this  result,  were  distinctly  felt,  and  immedi- 
ately the  animal  gave  a  sigh  of  relief,  assumed  a  calm  and  eas}- 
position,  the  circulation  became  regular,  the  coat,  previously 
dripping  with  sweat,  rapidly  dried,  and  the  horse  shortly  com- 
menced to  feed,  ultimately  making  a  good  recovery. 

The  incarceration  of  the  intestines  and  invagination  of  one  part 
of  the  intestines  within  that  w^hich  is  continuous  wnth  it,  are  also 
conditions  affecting  the  horse  occasionall)',  and  when  present  gener- 
ally take  place  in  the  small  intestines,  and  are  without  doubt  capable 
of  reduction  through  the  instrumentality  of  internal  medication, 
though  the  possibilitj^  of  such  a  result  in  therapeutics  would 
probably  be  scouted  as  ridiculous  by  all  practitioners  except  the 
followers  of  Hahnemann, 

Symptoms. — In  the  opinion  of  many  veterinarians  of  consider- 
able experience  the  various  symptoms  which  by  others  are  con- 
sidered indicative  of  intestinal  obstruction  are  not  accepted  as 
diagnostic  of  the  condition,  and  while  we  have  no  intention  of 
posing  as  an  infallible  authority  we  cannot  do  other  than  offer  our 
opinion  that  in  a  majority  of  cases  the  following  symptoms  will  be 
presented  in  one  or  other  of  the  different  forms  of  obstruction  and 
that  if  they  be  relied  upon  few  mistakes  will  be  made  in  diagnos- 
ing the  conditions  when  they  arise.  The  first  symptom  to  which 
the  attention  is  drawn  will  be  the  exhibition  of  considerable  pain; 
the  horse  will  lie  down  roll  two  or  three  times,  groaning  the 
while,  suddenly  jump  onto  his  legs  again,  and  commence  walking 


INTESTINAL    OBSTRUCTION.  iSl 

round  the  box;  it  is  difficult  to  divert  the  attention  of  the  animal 
from  itself;  after  moving  round  once  or  twice  a  sudden  halt  will 
be  made  and  the  head  will  be  turned  to  the  side  the  most  pain  is 
experienced,  while  at  others  the  nose  will  be  rested  on  the  exact 
locality  of  the  obstruction.  After  a  few  turns  the  animal  will  lie 
down  again,  roll,  and  then  maintain  the  recumbent  position  for  a 
few  minutes,  suddenly  jumping  up  again  and  repeating  the  fore- 
going movements;  meanwhile,  according  to  the  urgency  of  the 
pain,  sweat  breaks  out  ov-er  various  parts  of  the  body,  and  at 
times  so  profuse  is  the  secretion  that  the  coat  is  thoroughh'  sat- 
urated and  it  can  be  observed  dripping  off  the  bottom  of  the 
abdomen.  In  our  experience  one  symptom  is  diagnostic  of  calcu- 
lus that  we  have  never  observed  in  a  case  of  twist  or  other  form  of 
obstruction,  namely,  the  hor.se  places  itself  with  its  tail  and  quart- 
ers firmly  pressed  against  the  walls  of  the  stable  and  at  the  same 
time  urges  as  though  to  effect  a  passage  of  faeces. 

In  cases  of  twist,  invagination  and  incarceration  of  the  intes- 
tines, the  pulse  and  respirations  are  more  properly  influenced  than 
when  a  calculus  is  the  cause  of  obstruction;  the  respirations  are 
urgent  and  hurried  at  all  times  and  the  pulse  gradually  gets  more 
rapid,  hard  and  wiry  unless  relief  be  afforded  until  ultimately  the 
animal  is  so  worn  out  and  exhausted  that  no  pulse  is  perceptible. 
We  have  remarked  in  quite  a  number  of  cases  of  obstruction  the 
animal  becomes  after  awhile  very  impatient  of  the  pain,  especiall}' 
in  cases  of  ht'i'st. 

Treatment. — There  are  three  remedies  that  are  under  their 
own  respective  indications  capable  of  effecting  a  cure  in  cases  of 
incarceration,  invaginatio7i  and  heist,  and  of  occasionall}^  affording 
at  least  temporary  relief  when  a  calculus  is  the  cause  of  obstruc- 
tion, and  they  are  Nux  vomica,  Plumbum  and  Belladonna  and  in 
the  foregoing  order  their  value  and  importance  may  be  ranged. 

Nux  vomica  ix.  Constipation  is  a  most  important  indication, 
especially  when  accompanied  by  frequent  ineffectual  efforts  at 
evacuation;  a  distended  condition  of  the  abdomen  with  flatus  (or 
wind) ;  hiccough  and  rising  of  either  gas  or  food ;  a  prolapsed  con- 
dition of  the  anus  as  the  result  of  repeated  straining;  the  pains, 
while  they  may  be  more  or  less  continuous,  are  certainly  spas- 
modic, namely,  worse  at  one  time  than  another. 

Plumbum  3X,  is  a  most  effectual  remedy  in  cases  of  obstruction 


1 82  VETERINARY    IIOMCEOPATHY. 

due  to  impaction  of  hard,  dry  faeces  shaped  like  balls,  and  gener- 
ally black  in  color;  the  anus  instead  of  being  protruded  and 
relaxed  as  in  Nux  vomica  is  constricted;  except  in  cases  of  twist 
the  abdomen  is  retracted  and  the  horse  has  a  tucked-up  appear- 
ance, but  when  the  obstruction  is  due  to  impacted  faeces  the  abdo- 
men is  swollen  and  distended;  this  remedy  is  also  very  effectual 
in  cases  of  obstruction  arising  from  hernia  (rupture)  when  the 
intestines  protrude  through  the  walls  of  the  abdomen  in  the  form 
of  a  tumor,  but  such  cases  are  very  rare  except  in  foals  and  stal- 
lions; in  the  former  they  take  place  generally  at  the  navel  and  are 
known  as  umbilicai^  hernia;  while  in  the  stallion  the  tumor 
appears  in  the  scrotum,  the  seat  of  the  testicles,  and  is  known  as 
SCROTAi^  HERNIA;  whenever  a  hernia  is  found  in  an  aged  horse, 
it  usually  takes  the  form  of  strangulated  hernia  which  in- 
volves a  constriction  of  the  intestine  so  that  the  contents  cannot 
pass  onward,  and  consequently  the  circulation  of  the  blood  is 
arrested  in  that  part. 

Belladonna  3X  serves  to  assist  in  cases  of  twist  where  inflam- 
mation is  set  up;  a  swollen  and  very  bright  red  condition  of  the 
lining  membrane  of  the  eyes;  a  firm,  hard,  resistant  swelling  in 
the  abdomen  on  the  course  of  the  large  colon  with  an  indication 
of  sharp  griping  pains  at  one  particular  spot,  recognizable  by  the 
horse  pointing  with  his  nose  repeatedly  to  the  same  place  may  be 
accepted  as  the  symptomatic  of  this  drug. 

^Accessory  treatment. — The  first  thing  to  do  in  cases  of 
this  description  is  to  make  careful  manual  exploration  of  the 
rectum;  well  oil  the  hand  and  arm  and  empty  the  bowel  of  its 
contents,  then  search  for  either  a  calculus  in  the  single  colon  or 
the  presence  of  the  cord-like  condition  of  the  intestine  suggestive 
of  twisted  bowels;  should  neither  of  these  be  observed,  it  will  be 
desirable  to  invoke  the  aid  of  a  enema  pump — an  instrument 
specially  used  for  the  purpose — and  therewith  inject  three  or 
four  gallons  of  water  raised  to  blood  heat  into  the  intestines;  in 
the  case  of  calculus  this  proceeding  may  assist  its  displacement  or 
if  a  twist  it  may  afford  mechanical  aid  in  reducing  it;  under  any 
circumstances  the  warm  application  will  be  grateful  to  the  sufferer 
and  it  will  aid  in  locating  whatever  faeces  lie  behind  the  obstruc- 
tion. Beyond  this  and  the  regular  administration  of  the  most 
suitable  remedy  every  hour  or  so  little  can  be  suggested;  should 


COLIC.  183 

no  relief  be  afforded,   then  to  save   unnecessary^  pain,   resort  had 
better  be  had  to  one  or  other  of  the  anaesthetics  before  mentioned. 

COLIC. 

A  common  stable  term  indicating  that  violent  spasmodic  contrac- 
tions of  the  intestinal  muscular  walls  are  taking  place  producing 
sharp  griping  pains  which  come  on  in  paroxysms  with  intermedi- 
ate periods  of  partial  relief;  it  has  been  affirmed  that  in  colic  of  a 
simple  and  uncomplicated  character  there  is  neither  exaltation 
of  bodily  temperature  nor  acceleration  of  pulse  beat;  if  this  be  so 
our  experience  is  an  unique  one,  for  we  invariably  make  it  a  rule 
to  take  the  temperature  and  test  the  frequenc}-  of  the  heart  beats 
as  revealed  by  the  pulse,  and  it  is  in  our  experience  a  very  rare 
circumstance  to  find  the  pulse  normal  and  certainly  more  often 
than  not  the  temperature  is  higher  than  in  robust  health;  we 
freely  admit  that  there  is  a  vast  difference  between  the  state  of 
pulse  and  temperature  in  a  horse  suffering  from  spasm  of  the 
intestine  and  one  that  is  the  subject  of  enteritis  (inflammation  of 
the  intestines);  but  our  experience  does  not  allow  us  to  confirm 
the  statement  of  other  writers  on  this  subject  with  respect  to  the 
particular  disorder  now  under  consideration.  It  certainh-  appears 
at  first  sight  a  somewhat  singular  coincidence  that  horses  are  so 
generally  and  very  frequently  the  subjects  of  this  disorder,  unless 
we  account  for  it  by  susceptibility  in  consequence  of  the  immense 
volume  of  the  intestinal  area;  this  certainly  does  not  strike  us 
as  at  all  a  satisfactory  conclusion  to  draw,  but  probably  in  at- 
tempting to  define  the  various  causes  productive  of  or  tending  to 
colic  w^e  may  discover  something  like  rational  evidence  to  account 
for  its  frequenc5\  Among  agricultural  horses  food  is  in  most  cases 
accountable  for  producing  attacks  of  spasmodic  and  flatulent  colic; 
some  owners  seem,  by  their  actions,  to  hold  the  opinion  that  any 
rough  material,  never  mind  how  coarse,  is  good  enough  for  a 
horse  that  works  on  land;  the  horse  returns  home  after  long 
abstinence  and  being  as  most  are  a  ravenous  feeder,  the  digestive 
organs  are  gorged  with  material  that  is  not  only  bulky  but  also  too 
fibrous  to  yield  to  the  action  of  the  digestive  juices;  the  conse- 
quence is  that  large  masses  of  this  undigested  material  accumulate 
where  they  act  as  an  irritant;  the  muscular  walls  of  the  intestine 
at  this  point  become  paralyzed  after  repeated  ineffectual  efforts 


184  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

to  move  on  the  accumulated  mass  of  faeces;  the  spasms  then  com- 
mence as  the  result  of  the  repeated  efforts  of  the  intestines  above 
the  obstruction  to  forcibly  remove  this  mass  of  ingesta.  Yet, 
again,  farm  horses  are  not  infrequently  the  subjects  of  flatulent 
(or  windy)  colic  either  from  this  dry  indigestible  material  fer- 
menting and  thus  producing  increasing  quantities  of  gases  which 
develop  distressing  and  dangerous  symptoms,  or  the  same  result 
also  occurs  from  the  injudicious  use  of  succulent  green  food,  by 
allowing  it  to  be  given  in  a  too  3'oung  and  consequently  immature 
state  or  under  conditions,  for  which  the  atmosphere  is  responsible 
which  are  known  to  render  this  description  of  diet  unsuitable  for 
use.  Yet,  again,  although  manj^  farm  horses  can  and  do  live  ex- 
clusively, during  certain  monthsof  the  year  on  succulent  green  food, 
their  digestive  organs  require  to  become  accustomed  gradually  to 
this  kind  of  diet  otherwise  if  allowed  to  indulge  in  a  sudden  reple- 
tion, flatulent  colic  is  the  usual  sequel  of  this  indiscretion. 
Where  really  good  nutritious  food  is  a  staple  commodity  and 
horses  are  kept  in  high  condition,  intestinal  disturbance  result- 
ing in  colic  is  of  frequent  occurrence  through  the  injudicious  prac- 
tice of  administering  more  food  than  the  digestive  organs  can  dis- 
pose of,  as  is  frequently  done  after  an  extra  hard  day's  work  when 
the  urgency  of  agricultural  requirements  demand  long  hours  at 
high  pressure;  the  animals  are  supplied  with  more  rich  food  than 
the  system  can  appropriate  and  a  greater  quantity  than  will  pass 
through  the  digestive  canal,  the  consequence  being  that  accumu- 
lations take  place  and  obstructions  are  established  with  the  re- 
sults that  have  already  been  defined. 

Horses  both  of  the  heavy  and  the  light  classes  that  have  to 
work  from  one  place  to  another,  undertaking  long,  tiresome 
journeys,  as  is  often  the  case  with  those  kept  in  large  towns  in 
connection  with  big  trading  concerns,  owe  their  attacks  of  colic 
more  frequently  to  the  influence  of  cold  and  damp;  to  a  too  free 
allowance  of  cold  water;  to  at  one  hour  proceeding  at  a  rapid 
pace  and  then  standing  still  for  a  considerable  time  and  on  their 
return  home  late  at  night  to  an  over  repletion  of  food  on  an  empty 
stomach. 

Other  causes  of  colic  are  those  of  the  various  forms  of  mechani- 
cal obstructions,  such  as  impaction  of  indigestible  material,  and 
the  presence  of  large  numbers  of  worms. 


COLIC.  185 

Symptoms  are  in  many  respects  very  similar  to  those  already 
described  under  the  head  of  intestinal  obstruction,  with  the  ex- 
ception that  they  are  not  so  continuous,  nor  do  they  produce  such 
severe  effects,  nor  is  the  attack  developed  so  suddenly;  in  numer- 
ous instances  horses  are  capable  of  bearing  a  good  deal  of  pain 
before  presenting  any  distinct  evidence  of  suffering,  and  there  is 
little  reason  to  doubt  that  frequently  an  animal  may  feel  unwell 
for  some  considerable  period  before  any  outward  manifestations 
are  declared;  it  is  when  the  pain  becomes  severe  that  a  horse  com- 
mences to  paw  with  his  fore  feet,  strike  at  the  abdomen  withthe 
hind  feet  and  otherwise  give  evidence  of  great  restlessness  and 
uneasiness;  this  will  be  succeeded  by  attempts  to  lie  down,  the  prone 
position  being  ultimately  effected,  when  he  will  either  roll  from 
side  to  side  or  throw  himself  right  over  two  or  three  times  and 
then  suddenly  jump  onto  his  feet  and  remain  quietly  standing  for 
some  minutes,  evidently  the  while  comparatively  free  from  pain; 
but  on  the  spasm  being  renewed  the  pawing  is  recommenced,  and 
after  crouching  in  the  act  of  lying  down  he  will  suddenly  prostrate 
himself  as  before  and  go  over  the  same  process  from  time  to  time 
until  relief  is  afforded.     It  is  the  practice  of  most  horse  keepers 
and  stablemen,  and  also  of  very  many  veterinarians,  to  endeavor 
to  hinder  a  horse  from  rolling,  under  the  impression  that  it  is  at- 
tended with  the  risk  of  producing  a  twisted  bowel;  with  this  view 
we  do  not    concur,   and  invariably  allow  our  patients  whatever 
comfort  and  ease  is  derivable  from  rolling,  under  the  conviction 
that  the  act  must  afford  some  relief,  and  this  impression  receives 
some  countenance,  as  illustrated  by  the  human  subject,  who  in- 
variable tosses  about  and  rolls  from,  side  to  side  when  suffer- 
ing  acute  agony   from   abdominal   pain.     Professor  Robertson's 
''Equine  Medicine''  lays  down  the  following  points  of  differentia- 
tion for  diagnosing  which  portions  of  the  intestines  are  more  par- 
ticularly affected,  as  follows:   "  It  seems  probable  that  the  symp- 
toms of  extreme  restlessness,  frequent  pawing,  much  pain,  with 
anxious  turning  of  the  head  to  the  flanks,  are  indicative  of  involve- 
ment to  a  greater  extent  of  the  small  intestine;  while  stretching 
of  the  body  as  if  desirous  of  urinating,  throwing  the  head  upwards 
with  curling  of  the  upper  lip  and  a  disposition  to  mo^'e  backwards 
and  press  with  the  posterior  parts  against  some  resisting  object,  as 
the  wall  or  staU  post  are  more  particularly  indicative  of  disturb- 


1 86  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

ance  associated  with  impaction  or  distension  of  the  large  bowel. '  * 
In  cases  of  flatulent  colic,  in  which  the  distension  of  the  large 
double  colon  is  the  most  marked  feature,  it  will  be  observed  that 
horses  are  very  undecided  about  l3'ing  down,  and  if  they  do  ulti- 
mately resort  to  this  position  they  remain  in  it  but  a  short  time, 
appearing  to  experience  considerable  discomfort  over  and  above 
the  pain,  and  consequentlj^  after  going  down  they  quickly  rise  to 
their  feet. 

In  flatulent  colic  also  the  respirations  are  especially  affected, 
due  probably  to  the  fact  that  the  contents  of  the  immensel3'-dis- 
tended  abdomen  press  undul}'  upon  the  diaphragm  and  the  lungs, 
rendering  the  breathing  peculiarly  difficult ;  it  will  be  noticed  that 
the  respirations  are  short  and  quick,  breathing  being  effected 
almost  entirely  by  the  aid  of  the  thoracic  muscles.  The  abdomen 
becomes  tense  and  drum-like,  and  in  the  absence  of  relief  there  is 
some  risk  that  either  the  intestinal  walls  or  the  diaphragm  may  be 
ruptured.  Intestinal  obstruction,  simple  spasmodic  colic  and  flatti- 
leyit  colic  may  arise  quite  independently;  at  the  same  time  there 
may  be  a  combination  of  all  three  in  one  case  at  the  same  time; 
fortunately  we  have  remedies  capable  of  combatting  each  and  all 
of  these  conditions,  and  in  making  our  choice  of  treatment  we 
must  be  guided  by  the  totality  of  the  s3'mptoms,  taking  as  our 
most  important  and  reliable  indication  the  condition  which  gives 
evidence  of  the  most  prominence;  it  is,  however  desirable  that  it 
should  be  distinctly  understood  that  these  three  forms  of  colic 
need  not  neces.sarily  occur  quite  independently  of  one  another, 
but  as  Professor  Robertson  says,  ' '  Colic  or  abdominal  pain  may  be 
the  common  bond  of  union  which  links  together  these  different 
forms  of  disturbed  function,  spasm  of  the  bowel,  accumulation  of 
excrementitious  matter  and  varying  degrees  of  tympany,  it  is 
probable  that  its  most  frequent  manifestation  is  in  connection 
with  disturbance  which  is  a  variable  combination  of  all  these  indi- 
vidual conditions." 

Treatment. — Aconite  S  has  proved  a  consistently  successful 
remedy  in  cases  of  colic  arising  from  cold  and  exposure;  for  colic 
brought  on  by  allowing  a  horse  to  drink  freely  when  overheated, 
and  in  ca.ses  where  inability  to  pass  water  is  specially  marked;  the 
horse  repeatedly  postures  himself  to  urinate  and  strains,  with  the 
result  that  no  urine  passes,  or  only  a  few  drops  at  most;  these 


COLIC.  187 

cases  are  usually  observed  in  horses  that  work  long  hours  at  a 
stretch,  among  the  heavy  class,  or  among  carriage  horses  that 
have  to  wait  at  the  doors  of  theatres  and  concert  halls  in  the  chill 
hours  of  the  night ;  the  usual  dose  should  be  repeated  every  half 
hour  until  the  horse  passes  water  or  gives  outward  evidence  of 
relief. 

Nux  vomica  ix  may  probably  be  taken  as  the  next  most  useful 
remedy,  and  especially  in  cases  due  to  excessive  engorgement  from 
food  accompanied  by  marked  constipation  and  repeated  efforts  to 
evacuate;  in  compound  spasmodic  flatulent  colic  it  affords  speedy 
relief. 

Colocynthis  3X  when  the  pains  are  exceptionally  severe  and 
intermittent,  accompanied  by  diarrhoea  and  straining  to  evacuate. 
The  animal  doubles  himself  up  and  rolls  excessiv^ely ;  the  flatulent 
condition,  if  present,  shows  itself  hy  distension  far  back  in  the  ab- 
domen; it  is  essentially  a  neurotic  remedy. 

Veratruni  album  3X  is  useful  in  extreme  cases,  leading  on  to 
collapse;  circulation  of  the  blood  is  weak  and  fluttering;  purging 
is  constant,  retching  may  be  present;  the  body  is  generally  cold 
and  bathed  in  a  cold  sweat;  the  muscles  of  the  arms  and  thighs 
are  all  of  a  tremble;  spasmodic  pains  frequent. 

Chamomilla  >r)  is  essentially  a  useful  remedy  when  foals  are  the 
subjects  of  colic,  and  especially  when  the  spasms  are  so  sharp  and 
severe  that  the  patient  seems  unable  to  bear  the  pain;  no  less  an 
authority  than  Hahnemann  states  that  "it  is  less  benefical  to  those 
who  remain  patient  and  composed  during  their  sufferings, — an  ob- 
serv^ation  he  considered  of  the  utmost  importance;"  (Hughes); 
the  pains  are  worse  for  the  application  of  warmth,  such  as  hot 
flannels,  etc.,  and  they  cause  the  patient  to  be  spiteful,  coming  on 
as  a  rule  during  the  night,  accompanied  by  insatiable  thirst. 

Cocculus  hidicus  ix  very  appropriate  to  mares  with  foal,  especi- 
ally in  flatulent  (windy)  colic,  accompanied  by  irritabilit}' ,  nerv- 
ousness and  general  coldness  of  the  bod^^ 

Dioscorea  villosa  6*. — Severe  pain  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  ab- 
domen, causing  the  horse  to  make  efforts  to  kick  itself  in  this 
part,  and  thereafter  it  will  lie  down  and  stretch  all  four  legs;  the 
general  pain  is  continuous,  while  violent  paroxysms  come  on  at 
intervals;  the  lining  membrane  of  the  nose,  eyes  and  mouth  is 
sometimes  of  a  deep  orange  yellow. 


l88  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Iris  versicolor  6x. — There  are  some  cases  of  colic  in  which  the 
Hver  and  the  pancreas — more  especially  the  latter — are  involved, 
which  after  Nux  vomica  and  Colocynth  have  failed  will  yield  to 
Iris  versicolor;  attempts  to  vomit,  purging  and  extraordinary  secre- 
tion of  saliva,  soreness  of  the  anus  from  the  acrid  state  of  the 
faeces  and  great  tenderness  on  pressure  just  behind  the  ribs  on  the 
left  side  serve  as  reliable  indications. 

Plumbum  3X. — Colic  due  to  persistent  constipation  when  the 
faeces  are  dark  in  color,  round  and  small  in  size,  dry  and  lumpy 
in  condition;  flatulence  is  present  with  a  constant  desire  to  expel 
the  wind;  legs  and  ears  are  cold;  appearance  generally  depressed 
and  cadaverous;  animal  will  rest  on  the  abdomen  as  though  pres- 
sure afforded  relief,  and  there  is  suppression  of  urine. 

Accessory  Measures. — Flannels  wrung  out  of  really  hot 
water  and  applied  to  the  abdomen;  copious  enemas  of  water  raised 
to  the  temperature  of  the  body;  hand-rubbing  of  the  abdomen; 
for  the  time  being,  entire  abstention  from  food,  and  for  some  hours 
following  relief;  thereafter  great  caution  not  to  give  anything  but 
easily  digestible  food,  and  that  only  in  small  quantities,  for  two 
days;  no  horse  that  has  suffered  from  a  severe  attack  of  colic 
should  be  put  to  work  for  several  days. 

RUPTURE  OF  INTESTINAL  WAEUS 

has  been  referred  to  as  one  of  the  possible  contingencies  and  a 
sequel  of  flatulent  colic  when  relief  is  not  afforded  by  anj^  means 
available;  to  obviate  this  unfortunate  condition,  in  cases  where 
medicinal  agents  for  some  reason  or  other  fail  of  their  desired 
object  and  the  symptoms  are  extremely  urgent  as  a  dernier  resort 
the  abdomen  may  be  punctured;  but  this  requires  a  combined  in- 
strument known  as  the  trocar  and  canula,  and  should  be  entrusted 
to  a  veterinary  surgeon  for  performance;  by  the  means  of  this 
operation,  which  may  be  performed  with  perfect  safety  in  able 
hands,  the  accumulated  gasses  are  released,  the  distension  due 
thereto  reduced  and  the  attendant  pain  relieved,  but  it  may  be 
necessary  to  allow  the  canula  to  remain  in  position  some  hours 
until  the  tendency  to  form  gas  is  overcome.  In  the  case  of  rupture, 
however,  the  case  has  gone  beyond  medical  or  even  surgical  aid, 
and  it  is  only  to  enable  the  reader  to  recognize  the  condition  that 
it  is  referred  to  here  and  the  symptoms  presented  for   considera- 


RUPTURE    OF   INTESTINAL   WALLS.  1 89 

tion,  and  to  this  end  \ve  cannot  do  better  than  quote  Professor 
Robertson's  lucid  description;  he  saj's:  "The  symptoms  which 
iiadicate  the  fatal  termination  of  disturbed  function  are  neither 
uniform  nor  diag'nostic.  In  some  the  occurrence  of  the  lesion 
seems  to  be  followed  by  rapid  collapse;  in  others  it  would  appear 
that  life  may  be  prolonged  for  many  hours.  With  one  we  may 
have  mitigation  of  the  distressing  features  previously  existing; 
with  another,  on  the  contrary,  all  these  may  suffer  aggravation. 
When  occurring  in  association  with  impaction  or  unnatural  rela- 
tion of  ingesta  in  the  colon,  together  with  considerable  distension 
from  gases  in  the  bowels,  in  which  cases  we  often  have  restless- 
ness and  much  straining,  the  occurrence  of  the  lesion  is  naturally 
followed  by  relief  in  the  symptom  of  restlessness,  and  a  subsid- 
ence of  the  straining,  comparative  calm  and  quietness  being  the 
condition  succeeding  rupture  until  death.  In  all  with  the  com- 
pletion of  the  rupture  I  have  observed  that  exhaustion  is  a  feature 
rapidl}'^  developed;  and  that  although  relief  from  pain  seems  to 
have  been  obtained  at  once  and  unexpectedly,  there  is  a  haggard, 
anxious  expression  of  countenance,  a  frequent  and  small  pulse, 
steadily  becoming  more  rapid  and  at  last  imperceptible,  patchy 
perspiration,  short,  catching  respiration,  gradually  a  disinclina- 
tion and  inability  to  move,  the  animal  balancing  itself  as  it  were 
on  the  limbs  until  the  very  last.  Whenever  cases  of  colic,  marked 
by  impaction  of  the  bowels,  with  or  without  much  distension,  ac- 
companied with  straining,  suddenly  exhibit  cessation  of  the  pain 
and  straining,  together  with  the  appearance  of  much  exhaustion 
and  other  symptoms  indicated,  we  have  some  grounds  for  fearing 
rupture  of  some  part  of  the  intestinal  wall." 

In  face  of  the  several  suggested  doubts  as  to  the  possibility  of 
recognizing  the  absolutely  diagnostic  sj-mptoms  of  intestinal 
rupture,  we  can  but  earnestly  commend  the  practice  of  persistent 
treatment  right  up  to  the  end,  even  in  the  most  suspicious  cases; 
the  remedies  to  be  used  being  those  suggested  under  colic  accord- 
ing to  the  totality  of  the  symptoms. 


igo  VETERIXARV    HOMCEOPAfHY. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  INTESTINES. 


ENTERITIS. 

The  difference  between  an  infiamraatory  condition  of  the  in- 
testine and  that  which  takes  place  in  simple  colic,  although  from 
the  character  of  the  pain  there  is  nothing  striking  to  enable  one 
to  differentiate  between  them,  is  recognized  in  the  fact,  that  while 
in  colic  the  pain  is  due  to  '"disturbance  of  fmid/'onal  activity" 
(Robertson),  and  in  many  instances  is  originated  through  some 
defects  in  the  ner\-ous  system,  in  enteritis  important  changes  in 
the  structure  of  the  intestinal  walls  are  taking  place,  affecting 
either  the  lining  mucous  membrane  or  the  more  deeply-seated 
muscular  tissues  of  the  walls;  in  connection  with  or  rather  as 
the  result  of  the  inflammatory  action  there  is  a  varying  amount 
of  effusion  of  a  jelly-like  material  which  mixes  with  the  faeces 
when  of  an  ordinary  consistence,  but  when  constipation  is  marked 
the  evacuations  are  coated  with  what  is  vulgarly  described  as 
slime.  The  large  bowel — double  colon — is  more  often  the  seat  of 
inflammatory  attack  in  the  horse  than  are  the  smaller  portions  of  the 
intestinal  canal;  but  unless  the  origin  of  the  disorder  arises  from 
irritation,  such  as  may  take  place  when  a  horse  has  received 
-  too  large  a  quantity  of  Aloes  and  superpurgation  supervenes,  the 
intestinal  canal  being  more  or  less  affected  from  one  end  to  the 
other,  the  morbid  lesions  are  generally  observed  in  patches. 

Symptoms. — Enteritis  is  invariably  preceded  by  shivering;  the 
attack  comes  on  suddenly;  the  temperature  is  exalted  to  103 
degrees  or  more ;  the  pulse  is  rapid  and  wiry  in  character;  the 
mouth  generally  dry  and  hot;  the  pain,  though  frequently  less 
severe  than  some  bad  cases  of  colic,  is  constant,  and  manipula- 
tion of  the  abdomen  with  pressure  is  resisted;  nausea  and  occa- 
sionally retching  are  observed;  the  extremities  are  invariably 
very  cold;  the  animal  will  roll,  drawing  the  legs  up  sharply  and 
thereafter  stretching  them  out  to  the  full  extent,  while  at  times  a 
distinct  effort  will  be  made  to  balance  itself  on  the  back;  as  the 
disease  advances,  where  not  successfully  checked,  the  pulse  in- 
creases in  rapidity  while  the  volume  is  distinctly  lessened  and  the 
the  action  of  the  heart  becomes  much  weaker.     As  a  rule  con.sti- 


INFLAMMATION    OF    INTESTINES.  I9I 

pation  is  present  from  the  first,  but  we  have  known  cases  in  which 
diarrhoea  was  a  marked  symptom  all  through. 

In  all  cases  of  enteritis  that  have  proceeded  to  extremities,  it  is 
necessary  to  guard  against  the  delu.sion  that  a  horse  is  likely  to 
recover  in  consequence  of  an  apparent  improvement  from  the  al- 
leviation of  pain,  and  even  though  the  horse  may  begin  to  pick  at 
his  food ;  the  relief  from  the  agonizing  pain  is  in  such  cases  probably 
due  to  mortification;  to  determine  what  measure  of  hope  there  is 
in  such  extreme  cases  one  must  be  guided  by  the  general  appear- 
ance of  the  animal;  if  it  still  exhibits  a  haggard  and  worn  counte- 
nance and  is  dull  and  listless  in  its  manner,  with  a  weaker  pulse 
and  more  rapid  respirations  only  the  worst  can  be  anticipated;  on 
the  contrary,  if  the  horse  maintains  a  brighter  disposition,  looks 
more  cheerful,  has  a  stronger  pulse  and  breathes  less  frequently 
the  disappearance  of  pain  is  a  good  augury. 

Treatment. — Aconite  ix  during  the  earlier  febrile  symptoms 
for  a  few  doses  to,  if  possible,  reduce  the  temperature,  this  gen- 
erally' comes  in  most  usefully  before  the  diagnostic  symptoms  of 
enteritis  have  declared  themselves;  the  horse  appears  dull,  listless, 
and  heav}';  the  mouth  is  hot  and  dry,  and  the  chemical  ther- 
mometer indicates  a  high  rate  of  body  heat;  as  soon  as  distinct 
evidence  of  continuous  abdominal  pain  is  evinced  then  the  next 
remedy  should  be  resorted  to. 

Mocurius  corrosivus  6x. — When  the  large  intestines  are  the 
seat  of  inflammation  there  is  no  remedy  to  equal  this,  and  it  is 
worth}'  of  special  notice  that  the  attenuation  here  given  is  the 
proper  one,  under  no  circumstances  should  it  be  lower  (stronger); 
as  a  rule  the  tongue  will  be  found  generally  coated,  and  pro- 
nounced nausea  is  present;  pressure  on  the  abdomen,  particularly 
on  the  right  side,  fairly  forward  in  position  will  show  marked 
tenderness;  diarrhoea,  if  not  present  in  the  first  instance,  .soon  fol- 
lows; the  faeces  are  mixed  with  slime  and  mucus,  while  occasion- 
ally streaks  of  blood  will  be  observable,  or  a  deep  tinge  of  yellow 
or  green,  indicating  the  presence  of  bile;  the  patient  experiences 
a  great  deal  of  straining  after  an  evacuation,  and  the  anus  and 
parts  thereabouts  whereon  the  liquid  faeces  drip  become  excoriated 
and  sore.  A  cadaverous  and  dejected  appearance  is  present, 
sometimes  accompanied  by  a  profuse  slavering  from  the   mouth. 


192  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

The  remedy  should  be  repeated  every  four  hours  in  doses  not  ex- 
ceeding ten  grains. 

Podophyllum  3X. — This  remedy  is  more  especially  suitable  when 
the  inflammation  is  located  in  the  small  intestines;  the  faeces  will 
be  mixed,  rather  than  coated,  with  blood  and  glairy  mucus,  while 
in  others  marked  indication  of  the  presence  of  bile  stain  will  be 
declared;  the  posterior  portion  of  the  abdomen  will  not  evince  so 
much  tenderness,  nor  is  distension  from  accumulated  gases  so 
frequent  as  when  the  large  intestines  are  implicated  chiefly;  in 
cases  that  are  complicated  with  diarrhoea  at  the  outset,  in  connec- 
tion with  which  there  is  a  great  deal  of  straining  accompanied  by 
protrusion  at  the  anus  of  portions  of  the  rectal  mucous  membrane 
this  remedy  will  be  found  ' '  en  raport. ' ' 

Lycopodium  6x. — In  cases  of  enteritis  in  foals  brought  on  by 
partaking  of  indigestible  food,  which  is  accompanied  b}^  consider- 
able distension  through  fermentation  of  the  ingestia  and  very 
audible  rumbling  in  the  abdomen  with  frequent  sharp  pains,  a 
generally  jaundiced  appearance  of  the  visible  mucous  membranes 
and  pronounced  constipation,  this  remedy  in  the  usual  doses  every 
hour  will  soon  afford  relief. 

Accessory  measures. — The  animal  must  be  kept  perfectly 
quiet,  in  a  box  where  the  temperature  can  be  maintained  at 
an  even  standard,  not  below  60  degrees  F.;  during  the  paroxysms 
_of  pain  flannels  wrung  out  of  hot  water  must  be  constantly 
applied  to  the  abdomen,  and  after  the  worst  symptoms  have  passed 
away,  the  abdomen  must  be  carefully  clothed  with  a  wet  compress 
for  several  days.  The  ver}^  lightest  food  possible  must  be  allowed, 
and  that  only  in  small  quantities  at  a  time;  farinaceous  diet  is  the 
best,  with  plenty  of  wholesome  milk  to  drink,  varied  occasionally 
with  an  allowance  of  barle}^  water  and  then  linseed  tea. 

DYSENTERY. 

This  form  of  disease  is,  so  far  as  our  experience  goes,  rarely 
met  with  in  the  horse;  during  the  time  we  have  been  in  practice 
we  can  only  recall  two  or  three  clearly-distinct  cases;  dysentery 
may  be  described  as  a  combination  of  enteritis  and  diarrhoea;  fever 
is  always  present,  the  faecal  discharges  are  fluid,  mixed  with  blood 
and  slime,  and,  unHke  enteritis,  constipation  is  never  present; 
dysentery,  however,    owes  its  origin   to  very  different   causes  to 


DYSENTERY.  193 

that  of  enteritis;  bad  sanitation  and  unhealthy  surroundings; 
malarial  poisoning,  either  through  the  air  or  water;  persistent 
chronic  diarrhoea,  and  exposure  to  extremes  of  temperature  are 
mainly  accountable  for  attacks  of  this  disorder  when  they  arise; 
hence  very  ordinary  precautions  will  serve  to  protect  horses  from 
its  invasion. 

Symptoms. — Diarrhoea  is  the  earliest  noticeable  feature  of  the 
disorder;  in  the  next  place  fits  of  shivering  will  be  observed, 
which  should  lead  to  the  taking  of  the  temperature;  this  will  be 
found  somewhat  elevated  and  the  pulse  abnormally  fast;  prostra- 
tion is  generally  well  marked,  accompanied  b}'  impaired  appetite 
and  general  wasting  of  the  muscular  tissues;  the  faecal  discharges 
are  usualh^  liquid  in  character  mixed  with  jelly-like  mucus  and 
blood,  while  shreds  of  mucous  membrane  will  be  frequently 
observed  in  the  mass;  as  the  disease  makes  further  inroad,  the 
appetite  decreases,  the  thirst  increases,  the  faecal  discharges 
become  very  foetid,  while  wasting  and  exhaustion  are  hourly  more 
pronounced;  continued  straining,  both  during  an  evacuation  and 
thereafter  is  specially  noticeable;  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the 
mouth  and  tongue  is  frequently  soft  and  pasty  in  consistence. 

Treatment. — Aconite  ix. — In  the  early  stages  this  remedy, 
given  in  hourly  doses,  will  at  times  arrest  the  febrile  condition 
and  thus  prevent  the  further  development  of  the  disease;  but 
should  no  apparent  advantage  follow  its  administration  within 
three  hours,  it  may  fairly  be  concluded  that  the  morbid  process 
has  obtained  too  firm  a  hold  upon  the  constitution,  and  that  drugs 
more  appropriate  to  the  precise  condition  are  called  for. 

Nitric  acid  6x. — In  cases  of  d3'sentery  where  the  mouth,  tongue 
and  throat  are  specially  implicated  and  a  dry  laryngeal  cough  ex- 
perienced, this  remedy  will  be  found  very  appropriate. 

Aloes  3. — Forcible  expulsion  of  water}'  evacuations,  attended 
with  much  straining,  and  soreness  of  the  anus,  followed  by  evident 
exhaustion  and  faintness. 

Colchiciim  6. — This  remedy  fills  up  a  gap  that  is  occasionally 
difficult  to  supply,  when  dysentery  is  associated  with  the  formation 
of  gases  and  the  large  intestines  are  inflated,  an  exceptional  condi- 
tion that  gives  rise  to  considerable  difficulty  in  treatment;  this, 
however,  furnishes  a  proof  of  the  advantage  of  a  homoeopathically 
selected  drug  which  orthodox  practice  fails  to  supply;  the  occur- 


194  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

rence  is  truly  an  exceptional  one,  but  this  only  renders  it  the  more 
valuable  when  it  does  arise;  the  accompanying  distinctive  symp- 
toms are  pronounced  nausea,  great  prostration  and  rumbling  in  the 
large  intestines. 

Ipecacuanha  3X  was  in  earlier  times  frequently  administered  in 
this  disease  and  afterwards  fell  into  disuse.  Hahnemann,  however, 
revived  it  in  his  day,  and  discovered  the  specific  symptoms  which, 
suggested  its  selection,  they  are  particularly  persistent  straining, 
with  frothy,  foetid  and  bloody  evacuations,  occasionally  tinged 
with  greenish  bile  and  mixed  with  mucus;  if  nausea  and  retching 
are  present  they  furnish  additional  reasons  for  its  selection. 

Metcurius  corrosivus  6x. — When  the  evacuations  are  specially 
of  a  bloody  character,  mixed  with  mucus  and  attended  with  severe 
pain  and  straining,  both  during  and  after  the  passage  of  faeces, 
with  marked  suppression  of  urine  and  great  difficulty  in  passing 
the  same,  while  the  patient  is  comparatively  composed  and  quiet, 
this  is  one  of  the  most  effective  agents  at  disposal  for  this  trouble- 
some conditon;  indeed  it  is,  more  often  than  not,  in  true  cases  of 
dysentery,  the  most  reliable  remedy  in  the  whole  pharmacopoeia. 

Arsenicum  album  3X. — Great  thirst,  demanding  frequent  and 
small  quantities  at  a  time,  cold  breath,  cold  extremities,  cold 
sweat,  great  weakness,  persistent  restlessness,  weak  heart,  stink- 
ing evacuations,  highly-colored  urine,  passed  with  difficulty,  indi- 
cate this  remedy. 

Accessory  measures. — A  wet  compress  continually  applied  to 
the  abdomen  is  generally  of  great  benefit;  while  the  most  severe 
pains  are  on,  flannels  wrung  out  of  very  hot  water  should  be  ap- 
plied, care  being  taken  to  have  each  successive  one  ready  before 
the  previous  one  is  removed;  warm  injections  with  the  enema 
tube  may  usefully  be  administered  after  an  evacuation.  Barley 
water,  cold  water  and  milk  with  eggs  beaten  up  and  mixed  therein 
may  be  freely  allowed;  but  all  stimulating  food  must  be  avoided. 

PROLAPSUS  ANI. 


PROTRUSION    OF   LINING    MEMBRANE    OF    BOWELS. 

This  condition  is  occasionally  observed  in   horses  as  the  result 
occasionally  of  diarrhoea,  but  more   frequently  of  constipation; 


PERITONITIS.  195 

while  now  and  again  it  arises  in  consequence  of  protracted  strain- 
ing, produced  by  the  presence  of  a  large  calculus  in  the  colon. 

Treatment. — The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  return  the  pro- 
truded mucous  membrane;  if  it  has  become  swollen  and  dry  by 
reason  of  long  exposure,  fomentation  with  hot  water  is  desirable 
in  the  first  instance,  after  which  the  hand  should  be  well  lubri- 
cated with  carbolized  oil,  and  the  exposed  parts  returned  into  their 
normal  position;  it  very  frequently  happens  that  immediately  this 
is  done  the  horse  strains,  out  comes  the  membrane  as  before,  and 
all  the  work  has  to  be  done  over  again;  in  such  cases  a  pad  must 
be  applied  to  the  anus,  which  will  bring  external  pressure  on  the 
parts  and  be  kept  there  by  passing  side  lines  tightly  drawn  and 
fastened  round  the  chest,  the  lines  being  first  attached  to  a  broad 
band  that  passes  over  the  pad  and  keeps  the  same  in  position. 

Ignatia  ix,  a  dose  every  hour,  especially  in  foals,  is  a  useful 
remedy  where  there  are  much  straining  and  frequent  ineffectual 
efforts  to  pass  faeces;  as  soon  as  any  relief  is  obtained,  the  fre- 
quency of  the  dose  must  be  reduced  to  three  times  a  day  and  con- 
tinued for  a  week  to  overcome  any  well-established  weakness  of 
the  parts. 

Merciirius  corrosivus  6x. — In  cases  where  the  prolapse  is  at- 
tended with  much  irritation,  accompanied  by  a  discharge  of  mucus, 
and  particularly  if  diarrhoea  is  present. 

Accessory  measures. — After  the  protruded  bowel  is  returned 
the  application  of  cold  water  is  frequently  attended  with  satisfactory 
results,  not  only  externally,  but  internally,  by  means  of  a  syringe 
or  enema  tube.  The  animal  should  be  kept  perfectly  quiet.  The 
diet  should  be  light,  nourishing,  and  calculated  to  favor  a  healthy 
and  easy  action  of  the  bowels.  If  worms,  calculus,  constipation 
or  diarrhoea  are  the  cause  of  the  condition  the  treatment  under 
these  headings  must  be  consulted. 

PERITONITIS. 

The  intestines  are  covered  and  supported  by  a  ver^^  fine  mem- 
brane, described  as  the  peritoneum;  this  membrane,  which  is  of 
the  serous  order,  lines  the  abdomen  and  also  covers  the  intestines 
and  other  organs  of  the  abdomen;  when  attacked  by  inflammation, 
it  is  called  peritonitis;  inflammation  of  this  delicate  membrane 
may  arise  from  cold;  from  irritation  arising  from  an  inflamed  con- 


196  VETERINARY    HOMOEOPATHY. 

dition  of  the  abdominal  organs,  such  as  the  intestines,  the  livei" 
and  the  uterus;  from  blood  contamination  in  certain  specific  fevers, 
such  for  instance  as  are  associated  with  the  puerperal  state  in 
females;  from  operative  surgery,  such  as  the  infliction  of  a  wound 
in  penetrating  the  abdomen  for  the  relief  of  flatulent  colic,  or  even 
in  castration. 

Symptoms  are  generalh'  ushered  in  by  shivering  and  an  eleva- 
tion of  temperature;  pain  is  exhibited  in  the  abdomen  of  a  more 
or  less  constant  character,  and  the  parts  are  generally  so  sensitive 
that  the  animal  can  ill  bear  anv  pressure,  the  pulse  is  quick  and 
thready;  the  patient  is  restless,  and  will  not  maintain  any  one 
position  long  at  a  time,  repeatedly  tvirns  the  nose  to  the  seat  of 
pain,  and  wears  an  anxious  expression  of  countenance.  In  peri- 
tonitis, the  result  of  mechanical  injury  or  surgical  wounds,  the 
animal  gives  evidence  of  very  marked  internal  pain  by  pawing 
restlessly  with  the  fore  feet  and  paddling  with  the  hind  ones;  the 
respirations  are  short  and  quick,  and  are  performed  by  means  of 
the  ribs  and  thoracic  muscles;  the  pulse  is  very  hard,  thin  and 
wiry;  the  internal  temperature  rises  above  the  normal,  and  very 
considerabl}'  so  if  the  mechanical  injury  is  a  serious  one;  the 
horse  will  not  bear  the  abdomen  to  be  hand  rubbed,  as  in  simple 
colic,  as  no  doubt  the  pressure  externally  produces  considerable 
pain  within. 

Treatment. — Aconite  ix  when  peritonitis  is  due  to  cold,  and 
tTie  febrile  sjnnptoms  are  very  pronounced;  the  doses  to  be  re- 
peated hourly  for  some  time. 

Bryonia  3X  follows  the  previous  medicine  in  similar  cases  and 
where  the  pain  appears  sharp  and  is  aggravated  by  motion;  con- 
stipation and  general  uneasiness  are  further  indications  for  its 
use. 

Arnica  3X  when  peritonitis  owes  its  origin  to  mechanical  injury 
and  surgical  operations,  under  which  conditions  it  should  be  re- 
lied upon  from  the  outset. 

Mercicriics  corrosivus  6x. — In  cases  other  than  those  due  to  me- 
chanical injury,  especially  when  tympany  and  diarrhoea  ai'e  pres- 
ent, and  the  lining  membranes  of  mouth  and  eyes  are  very  yellow. 
Dr.  Hughes  affirms:  ' '  I  have  used  it  more  frequently  than  Bryonia, 
and  with  most  gratifying  results." 

Accessory  measures. — Hot  fomentations   by  means  of  flan- 


ASCITES — DROPSY.  1 97 

nels  wrung  out  of  boiling  water  and  continuously  applied  to  the 
abdomen  afford  relief;  the  horse  should  have  a  supply  of  cold 
water  near  at  hand  in  order  to  partake  thereof  as  frequentl}^  as 
may  be  desired;  when  the  worst  of  the  pain  is  over  a  wet  compress 
should  be  constantly  applied  to  the  abdomen  for  some  days,  and 
the  food  should  be  of  a  light,  unstimulating  character,  adminis- 
tered in  small  quantities  at  a  time,  and  not  too  frequently;  perfect 
quiet  is  also  very  essential. 

ASCITES. 


DROPSY. 

This  form  of  dropsy  is  peculiar  to  the  abdomen,  and  arises  from 
the  development  of  a  fluid  in  the  peritoneum;  it  sometimes  fol- 
lows an  attack  of  peritonitis,  and  consists  of  a  collection  of  fluid  in 
the  cavity  of  the  abdomen  round  which  the  peritoneum  forms  an 
encircling  fold;  ascites  is  veiy  frequently  due  to  a  diseased  condi- 
tion of  other  organs,  namely,  the  heart,  liver  and  kidney's,  con- 
nected \vith  which  an  obstruction  of  the  venous  system  is  associa- 
ted, bringing  about  an  escape  of  the  fluid  constituents  of  the 
blood,  through  the  walls  of  the  veins;  in  this  w^a}'-  and  at  such 
times  sw^elling  of  the  limbs  is  often  observed,  which  is  due  to  the 
same  cause;  also  the  animal  is  dull  and  devoid  of  all  natural 
spirit;  bears  a  generally  unthrifty  appearance;  has  capricious 
appetite;  rarely  lies  down,  and  when  it  does,  remains  in  that  posi- 
tion but  a  short  time;  in  addition  to  the  swelling  of  the  limbs,  the 
abdomen  becomes  enlarged  and  pendulous  and  the  skin  along  the 
middle  line  of  the  belly  is  swollen,  pits  on  pressure,  and  there- 
after fills  up  again.  The  visible  mucous  membranes  are  pale  and 
anaemic,  the  pulse  is  weak,  and  often  intermittent;  the  urine  is 
scanty,  high-colored  and  thick;  when  the  abdomen  is  very  much 
enlarged  and  the  collection  of  fluid  is  extensive  around  the  intes- 
tines, the  pressure  upon  the  diaphragm  is  so  great  that  the  breath- 
ing becomes  labored  and  difficult,  and  is  performed  almost  entirely 
by  the  thoracic  walls,  which  is  recognized  by  the  heaving  and  ex- 
pansion of  the  ribs. 

Treatment. — Apocynum  Cannabinum  i-^. — This  remedy  is 
credited  with  possessing  a  remarkable  power  over  dropsy,  and  Dr. 


198  VETERINARY    HOMOEOPATHY. 

Hale,  of  Chicago,  has  drawn  special  attention  to  its  virtues;  Dr. 
Hale  seems  to  consider  that  its  influence  for  good  is  derived  from 
the  specific  action  of  the  drug  upon  the  kidneys,  restoring  the 
urinary  secretion  to  its  normal  constitution  and  in  this  way  free- 
ing the  system  from  the  surplusage  of  fluid  constituents;  probably 
it  acts  more  generally,  for  in  many  cases  the  drug  has  effected 
relief  after  other  remedies  had  proved  ineffectual. 

Arsenicum  album  3X  in  cases  where  the  legs  are  much  swollen 
and  disease  of  the  heart  is  present;  general  debility,  emaciation  and 
poverty;  difficult  breathing;  dry,  scaly  skin;  continuous  thirst; 
feeble  and  irregular  pulse;  coldness  of  the  ears  and  other  ex- 
tremities are  general  indications  for  the  selection  of  this  drug. 

Apis  mel.  5  is  a  valuable  agent  when  the  animal  has  difficulty 
in  passing  water  and  only  makes  a  small  quantity  at  a  time;  also 
when  the  temperature  is  elevated  and  febrile  symptoms  are 
present. 

Digitalis  ix  when  dropsy  is  due  to  the  irregular  action  of  the 
heart,  as  indicated  by  an  intermittent  pulse,  accompanied  by  great 
difficulty  in  breathing  and  when  the  animal  persistently  maintains 
the  standing  posture. 

Accessory  Measures. — Contrary  to  ordinary  practice  we 
advise  that  a  dropsical  horse  should  be  allowed  as  much  cold 
water  as  it  desires  to  take;  there  should  be  a  constant  supply 
available,  as  we  believe  that  water  under  such  cases  tends  to  in- 
crease the  amount  of  fluid  excreted  and  that  far  beyond  the  bulk  that 
is  imbibed;  it  also  tends  to  improve  the  appetite  and  restore  vigor 
to  the  constitution;  in  this  way  the  pulse  becomes  stronger  and 
the  dropsical  effusions  are  reduced.  Food  of  the  most  easily 
digestible  character  must  be  allowed,  such  as  artificial  grasses, 
carrots,  turnips,  and  the  like,  with  plenty  of  linseed  gruel  and 
barley  water.  The  place  the  animal  is  stabled  in  should  be  dry 
and  warm;  and  if  alcoholic  stimulants  should  appear  desirable 
Holland  gin  mixed  with  milk  is  the  best  agent  under  the  circum- 
stances. 

CONSTIPATION. 

This  condition  of  the  digestive  tract  is  by  no  means  an  uncom- 
mon one  in  the  horse,  and  it  is  frequently  attended  with  conse- 
quences that  do  not  lend  to  the  general  well-being  of  the  animal;  on 


CONSTIPATION.  1 99 

the  Other  hand,  it  is  desirable  not  to  be  over  anxious,  if  what  is 
deemed  to  be  the  natural  action  of  the  bowels  does  not  invariabh- 
take  place;  for  in  many  cases  of  illness,  especially  those  attended 
by  much  fev^er.  the  heat  of  the  body  seems  to  dry  up  the  natural 
secretions,  and  among  them  the  products  of  the  intestinal  glands, 
whereby  the  faeces,  as  they  pass  along  the  canal,  are  lacking  in 
moisture  and  assume  an  undue  condition  of  dryness;  under  such 
circumstances  let  but  the  right  medicine  be  selected,  appropriate, 
that  is,  to  the  main  disease  and  the  totality  of  the  symptoms,  and 
the  constipation  will  yield  to  the  action  of  the  drug,  quite  in- 
dependently of  an)'  specific  action  upon  the  bowels;  but  in  this 
article  we  are  dealing  with  constipation  as  an  independent  and 
special  condition,  and  as  such  we  have  to  consider  its  develop- 
ments and  treatment. 

While  we  do  not  admit  for  one  moment  that  constipation  is  a 
condition  to  be  desired,  we  are  perfectly  satisfied  that  a  great  deal 
more  importance  is  attached  to  it  than  the  circumstances  warrant; 
there  is  a  tendency  among  horsemen  and  stablemen  to  jump  to 
the  opposite  extreme  and  to  treat  the  condition  as  though  it  in- 
volved the  risk  of  life;  no  sooner  does  a  horse  show  some  torpidit}- 
of  the  bowels  than  an  aloetic  ball  is  prescribed  and  administered; 
nay!  further  than  that,  if  a  horse  has  to  be  got  read}^  for  any 
special  work,  such  as  hunting,  racing,  steeple-chasing  or  what  not, 
an  aloetic  purge  is  considered  desirable  as  a  sort  of  preliminary  to 
further  preparation;  to  question  such  a  course  of  procedure  is  of 
course  rank  hetorodoxy,  nevertheless  we  have  no  hesitation  in  af- 
firming that  a  more  undesirable  and  unnecessary  course  of  action 
was  never  pursued;  one  would  thmk,  judging  by  common  practice  in 
every  sort  of  stable,  that  a  horse's  digestive  canal  was  a  reservoir 
of  accumulated  filth  that  called  for  a  regular  sluicing  out,  and  that 
the  intestines  were  nothing  more  than  a  metal  tube  which  re- 
quired flushing  to  render  them  pure;  the  positive  effect  of  aperi- 
ents upon  the  intestinal  canal  is  completely  ignored,  and  the  fact 
that  their  action  upon  the  system  is  "to  disorganize  the  parts  on 
which  their  force  is  chiefly  expended  "  (Ruddock  )  is  entirely  over- 
looked. lyCt  us  for  a  moment  just  look  into  the  pathogenetic 
effects  of  Aloes;  the  action  of  the  drug  is  mainly  brought  to  bear 
upon  the  large  intestines,  the  liver  and  the  pancreas;  it  evidently 
excites  the  secretions  of  the  mucous  membranes,  because  the  faeces 


200  YKTERINARV    HOMCEOPATHY. 

are  of  a  decidedlj'  fluid  character,  but  in  a  more  intensified  form 
it  influences  the  muscular  walls  of  the  intestines  to  more  energetic 
peristaltic  action,  the  evidence  of  which  is  quite  clear  from  the 
violent  manner  in  which  the  faeces  are  ejected  from  the  anus;  its 
action  upon  the  liver  is  ver}' marked,  inasmuch  as  the  secretion  of 
bile  is  considerably  increased;  over  and  above  these  the  whole  of 
the  abdomen  and  its  contents  is  very  congested,  there  being  a 
decided  determination  of  blood  to  the  whole  of  the  viscera;  when 
administered  in  quanties  beyond  the  natural  ability  of  the  patient 
to  bear,  super-purgation  is  readily  established  which  may  be  fol- 
lowed by  inflammation  of  the  intestines,  and  under  such  circum- 
stances the  chances  of  recovery  are  remote.  The  effect  of  an 
ordinary  dose  of  Aloes  upon  a  horse  is  at  all  times  trying,  and 
vuider  the  most  favorable  circumstances  many  days  must  elapse 
before  the  effects  pass  off;  the  animal  has  to  be  again  built  up  by 
careful  attention  and  feeding  before  its  previous  robust  condition 
is  attained.  An  idea  is  entertained  by  the  majority  of  men  who 
have  to  do  with  horses  that  purgatives  are  necessary  every  now 
and  again  to  expel  impurities  from  the  body,  and  when  after  the 
administration  of  a  purge  the  fasces  smell  very  badly,  they  tri- 
umphantly point  to  the  fact  in  proof  of  their  theory;  the  real  fact 
is  that  Aloes  and  many  other  purgative  drugs  have  such  an  effect 
upon  the  intestinal  canal  that  the  unpleasant  smell  is  really  due 
to  the  drugs  and  w^ould  not  have  been  observed  but  for  the  action 
of  the  drugs  themselves;  this  fact  may  always  be  observed  how- 
ever good  the  previous  health  of  the  animal. 

One  of  the  bad  effects  of  the  action  of  purgatives,  more  espec- 
ially as  regards  those  that  unduly  stimulate  the  numerous  secre- 
tory glands  situate  in  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  intestines  is 
that  a  large  quantity  of  blood  is  drawn  to  these  parts,  the  glands 
pour  out  their  natural  secretion  in  excessive  quantities,  thereby 
impairing  their  future  usefulness;  a  general  debilit}^  of  these 
glands  is  the  consequence,  they  are  unable  thereafter  to  secrete  a 
normal  quantity  of  their  proper  fluids,  the  ingesta  is  therefore  but 
partially  dissolved  and  digested,  the  faeces  are  abnormally  dry, 
chronic  constipation  is  established,  the  necessary  nutriment  is  not 
available  from  the  food  passing  through  the  canal,  and  the  horse 
becomes  weak  and  unthrifty;  such  may  be  accepted  as  the  natural 
consequences  of  frequent  purgation. 


CONSTIPATION.  20r 

According  to  Hahnemann's  principle  of  treatment,  as  based 
upon  his  method  of  drug  selection,  purging  for  constipation  is  the 
very  antithesis,  and  after  a  fair  experience  we  can  cordiall}^ 
endorse  all  that  true  and  faithful  homceopathists  aver  as  to  the 
needlessness  of  purgation ;  nay,  more,  we  have  no  hesitation  in 
condemning  the  practice  as  positively  harmful  to  the  well-being  of 
the  animal  system;  it  is  quite  possible  that  in  some  cases,  where 
constipation  is  a  prominent  symptom,  that  the  liver  of  the  patient 
is  disordered,  and  that  the  normal  quantity  of  bile  is  not  secretetl; 
or,  on  the  other  hand,  the  organ  may  be  abnormally  active  and 
secrete  more  bile  than  is  necessary  for  the  due  performance  of  the 
function  of  digestion;  whereas  Aloes  is  a  more  than  useful  remed}' 
by  reason  of  its  direct  action  upon  the  liver,  it  is  quite  possible 
that  much  benefit  may  have  appeared  to  follow  the  administration 
of  an  ordinary  allopathic  dose  of  Aloes  to  a  horse;  under  such  cir- 
cumstances the  same  amount  of  good  would  have  followed  the  ad- 
ministration of  a  small  dose  of  Aloes,  such  as  we  should  ourselves 
give,  without  the  undesirable  effects  brought  about  by  a  large 
purgative  dose  of  the  drug;  but  in  the  face  of  the  good  results  ob- 
tained the  allopath  is  quite  content  and  never  gives  a  moment's 
consideration  to  the  consequences  of  heavy  dosage,  nor  to  the  pos- 
sibility of  obtaining  the  desired  result  on  any  lines  other  than  those 
which  produce  a  regular  clearance  out;  the  really  proper  treat- 
ment for  constipation  is  a  remedy  that  is  capable,  in  the  healthy 
subject,  of  producing  constipation,  together  with  all  the  other 
observable  symptoms;  in  point  of  fact,  rather  than  give  Aloes  to  a 
horse  for  constipation  we  administer  it  for  the  opposite,  as  found 
among  some  of  the  varied  forms  of  diarrhoea,  and  specially  when 
the  rectum  is  swollen  and  haemorrhoids  or  piles  are  present.  Con- 
stipation is  by  no  means  a  single-handed  condition,  other  sjmip- 
toms  almost  invariably  accompany  it,  and  this  fact  alone  renders 
it  all  the  more  easy  to  grapple  with  and  overcome  without  going 
to  useless  and  injurious  extremes,  if  the  practitioner  only  has  the 
powers  of  observation  well  developed  and  some  practical  acquaint- 
ance with  the  pathogenetic  powers  of  drugs,  so  as  to  apply  them 
according  to  the  rules  of  Homoeopathy;  readers  of  this  wot k  will 
find  all  the  necessar}^  information  under  the  various  remedies  here- 
inafter referred  to,  and  from  the  distinctive  details  given  there- 
under will  be  able  to  note  not  only  how  to  overcome  the  diflScul- 


202  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

ties,  but  in  what  they  consist  and  upon  what  they  depend;  and  it 
will  be  further  discovered  that  to  treat  constipation  effectively  and 
so  as  to  avoid  an  early  recurrence,  the  object  to  be  attained  is  not 
alone  to  bring  about  an  action  of  the  bowels,  but  rather  to  correct 
the  disorder  to  which  the  constipation  is  primarily  due. 

Add  nitric  12. — This  drug  furnishes  an  interesting  coincidence 
of  how  the  same  remedy  administered  in  different  attenuations  is 
at  one  time  appropriate  to  diarrhoea,  while  under  somewhat  differ- 
ent conditions  it  is  not  less  useful  in  constipation;  this  peculiarity 
of  circumstances  provides  a  pitfall  for  allopaths  and  they  aver  that 
it  is  one  of  the  things  "no  feller  can  understand;"  it  is  quite 
certain  anyhow  that  to  properly  appreciate  such  apparently  con- 
tradictory results  one  needs  to  be  an  intelligent  student  of  Hahne- 
mann; but  to  return  to  the  subject,  namely,  when  \s  Nitric  acid 
useful  in  constipation?  To  Dr.  Dyce  Brown,  of  London,  we  are 
indebted  for  the  information,  to  whom  Dr.  Hughes  also  gives  the 
credit  of  the  observation;  constipation  accompanied  by  a  dry 
laryngeal  cough  almost  invariably  yields  to  this  remedy;  but  to 
attain  the  result  a  high  attenuation,  like  12.  is  according  to  our 
experience  necessary ;  the  lower  attenuations,  such  as  third  decimal, 
would  probably  fail,  if  they  did  not  actually  intensify  the  symp- 
toms; if  general  constitutional  depression  be  very  marked,  this 
furnishes  confirmatory  evidence  of  the  usefulness  of  Nitric  acid 
under  such  conditions  of  constipation.  Bearing  in  mind  ihat  this 
drug  is  essentially  one  for  diarrhoea  it  may  be  interesting  to  note 
that  beyond  the  fact  that  the  fsecal  pellets  are  rather  large  and 
somewhat  hard,  there  is  nothing  characteristic  in  the  condition  of 
the  dung,  as  there  is  in  Alumina,  to  lead  one  to  select  it  for  con- 
stipation, but  in  addition  to  the  cough  and  the  general  depression 
a  foetid  state  of  the  urine  is  observable  in  Nitnc  acid  cases;  the 
reason  for  dealing  thus  fully  with  a  drug  that  is  probably  but 
rarely  indicated  in  constipation,  is  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that 
some  cases  are  exceptional,  but  when  found  extremely  difficult  to 
cure;  indeed,  impossible  with  any  other  remedy;  it  furnishes  a 
splendid  illustration  of  the  necessity  that  frequently  arises  in  prac- 
tice for  delicate  differentiation  without  which  no  practitioner  can 
succeed  in  a  very  large  proportion  of  cases. 

Alumina  3X. — In  this  remedy  we  have  a  further  illustration  of 
the  absolute  importance  of  the  nice  discrimination  that  is  requisite 


CONSTIPATION.  203 

to  enable  one  to  prescribe  successful!}'  in  man}'  cases  which  sorely 
perplex  the  ordinary  allopathic  practitioner  ;  at  first  sight,  one 
who  has  not  made  a  study  of  the  action  of  drugs  from  a  homoe- 
opathist's  standpoint,  would  very  naturally  conclude  that  Alumina, 
known  by  many  as  the  Oxide  of  Aluviiniinn,  was  a  peculiar  agent 
to  use  as  a  remedy  at  all,  and  the  conjecture  would  follow  that  if 
administered,  the  physiological  result  such  a  procedure  would  en- 
tail, would  be,  that  constipation  must  necessarily  ensue;  or  at  all 
events  a  drying  up  of  the  ingesta  and  faeces  involving  great  diflS- 
culty  in  the  performance  of  the  function  of  evacuation;  we  may 
state  in  passing  that  this  deduction  is  an  absolutely  correct  one, 
when  the  agent  is  administered  in  sufficient  quantity  to  the  healthy 
subject;  hence  its  utility  in  one  form  of  constipation  as  based 
upon  Hahnemann's  law  of  selection.  In  contradistinction  to  many 
remedies  that  are  useful  in  other  forms  of  constipation,  Ahunina 
may  be  selected  on  evidence  that  is  obtainable  from  the  character- 
istic condition  of  the  faeces,  namely,  dryness,  amounting  to  a 
crumbling  condition,  and  paleness  of  color;  but  in  addition  to  this 
we  almost  invariably  find  that  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
pharynx  is  in  sympathy  with  that  of  the  colon  and  rectum  and  a 
dry  cough  is  experienced  in  consequence;  dryness  of  the  mucous 
membranes  with  some  irritation  is  a  characteristic  feature  indicat- 
ing this  remedy.  (Hughes).  The  same  author  mentions  that  a 
frequent  desire  to  urinate  during  the  night,  especially  in  old 
patients,  suggests  the  utility  of  Aliinmia  in  conjunction  with  the 
before-mentioned  symptoms;  this  observation  we  can  corroborate; 
in  one  case  of  a  horse  that  had  long  been  the  subject  of  a  dry 
cough  and  constipation,  the  faeces  dry,  pale  and  crumbling,  all  the 
symptoms  yielded  to  a  few  doses  oi  Alumina,  and  the  owner  was 
so  struck  by  the  marvelous  rapidity  with  which  the  cure  was 
effected — for  the  animal  had  been  under  ordinary  treatment  for 
many  months — that  it  seemed  too  good  to  be  true,  and  he  enter- 
tained doubts  as  to  its  permanency-;  he  was,  however,  ultimately 
satisfied  that  the  horse  was  thoroughly  restored  to  health,  as  he 
thereafter  rapidly  put  on  flesh  and  stood  the  work  of  the  hunting 
field  in  his  usual  form. 

Bryonia  alba  3X  for  constipation  that  is  due  to  indigestion  and 
eating  unwholesome,  vmdigestible  food;  there  is  no  inclination  for 
evacuation  of  faeces;  when  passed  the  stool  is  black  and  dry  and 


204  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

has  tlie  appearance  of  having  been  burnt;  disorder  of  the  liver  is- 
generally  associated  with  this  form  of  constipation;  the  dung  balls 
are,  as  a  rule,  very  large  and  difficult  to  pass. 

CoUinsonia  Canadensis  i  x .  — A  very  valuable  remedy  for  pregnant 
mares  having  a  tendency  to  inertia  of  the  bowels;  this  condition 
may  readily  bring  about  ver}^  undesirable  consequences  in  mares 
that  are  eight  or  nine  months  on  with  foal,  as  the  straining  which 
is  thereby  provoked,  may  result  in  abortion;  under  such  circum- 
stances spasmodic  and  flatulent  colic  frequently  supervenes,  which 
in  animals  so  situated  will  be  relieved  with  this  remedy. 

Hydrastis  Canadensis  0  for  constipation  which  is  the  immediate 
consequence  of  frequent  administration  of  Aloes  or  other  purgative 
agents;  the  colon  and  rectum  having  got  into  a  debilitated  state 
require  something  to  restore  them  to  their  normal  tone  and  vigor; 
in  prolapse  of  the  anus,  due  to  weakness  and  general  want  of 
tone,  and  for  haemorrhoids  (or  piles ^  this  remedy  is  worth  a  fair 
trial,  and  generally  gives  good  results. 

Lycopodiiun  6x. — In  case  of  obstinate  and  chronic  constipation 
associated  with  disordered  liver  this  is  a  most  excellent  remedy; 
pain  over  the  region  of  the  liver,  on  the  right  side  just  behind  the 
ribs,  coldness  of  the  legs  and  ears,  and  the  passing  of  a  large 
quantity  of  urine  during  the  night,  with  a  sallow  appearance  of 
the  visible  mucous  membranes  are  leading  indications  for  its  selec- 
tion. 

-  Niix  vomica  3X. — Constipation  is  not  infrequently  due  to  a 
lack  of  harmonious  peristalsis;  consequently  the  evacuations  are 
spasmodic  and  irregular  and  often  accompanied  by  straining, 
namely,  efforts  to  pass  dung  are  ineffectual;  these  may  be  purely 
idiopathic  cases  of  constipation,  unassociated  with  any  exciting 
cause,  such  as  often  arises  from  disordered  liver,  et  cetera;  the 
condition  is  essentially  the  disease,  and  for  such  cases  A^ux  vomica 
is  the  best  remedy. 

Opium  3x. — Here  we  have  an  illustration  of  a  remedy  applied 
b}^  homoeopathists  for  the  exactly  opposite  condition  to  that 
which  it  is  most  generally  used  by  allopathists;  given  in  large 
quantities  it  certainly  produces  constipation,  probably  by  paralyz- 
ing the  muscular  coats  of  the  intestinal  tract;  Hahnemann  once 
wrote:  ''Opium  is  a  specific  for  certain  kinds  of  the  most  obstinate 
constipation;"  and  so  we  have  frequently  proved  it. 


DIARRHCEA.  205 

The  muscular  walls  of  the  small  colon  and  rectum  seem  to  have 
lost  their  peristaltic  action;  the  faeces  when  passed  come  away  in 
black,  hard,  glazed  balls;  drowsiness  in  a  marked  degree  gener- 
ally presents  itself  in  such  cases;  the  pupils  of  the  eyes  are  con- 
tracted, and  there  may  be  some  fever  as  indicated  by  the  clinical 
thermometer;  retention  of  urine  takes  place  and  colic  pains  speed- 
ily supervene;  the  constipation  may  even  amount  to  obstruction, 
still  Opium  is  the  remedy  in  small  but  frequent  doses. 

Plumbum  metallicum  3X. — Dr.  Hughes  says:  "For  obstinate 
habitual  constipation  when  the  stools  are  dry  and  lumpy  and  the 
intestines  half  paralytic  and  half  crampy,  I  have  the  utmost  con- 
fidence in  it : "  this  description  is  intended  to  refer  to  the  human 
subject,  but  no  language  of  ours  could  more  correctly  define  its 
indications  among  the  lower  animals;  as  a  rule  the  impacted  faeces 
produce  spasmodic  colic,  and  a  very  reliable  symptom  as  a  guide 
to  its  selection  is  the  retracted,  tucked-up  condition  of  the  abdo- 
men; in  addition  to  the  foregoing,  if  the  horse  is  observed  during 
an  attack  of  colic,  such  as  is  here  described,  to  knuckle  over  at 
the  hind  fetlock  joints,  indicating  loss  of  power  in  the  extensor 
tendons,  the  symptom  serves  to  corroborate  the  selection  of 
Plumbum. 

Accessory  Measures. — Much  assistance  may  be  afforded  in 
protracted  cases  of  constipation  when  the  intestines  are  loaded 
with  faecal  matter  by  first  carefully  emptying  the  rectum  with  the 
hand  and  thereafter  injecting  tepid  water  with  an  enema  pump; 
in  this  way  the  obstruction,  if  to  such  it  amounts,  will  be  broken 
down,  and  the  faeces  generally  rendered  soft;  moreover  the  action 
of  the  water  upon  the  intestinal  walls  will  be  to  set  up  a  quiet  and 
uniform  peristaltic  movement  by  means  of  which  frequent  evacua- 
tions will  be  produced,  and  that  without  any  irritating  effect  on 
the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  intestines  such  as  is  produced  by 
strong  purgative  agents. 

DIARRHCEA. 

The  very  opposite  condition  to  constipation,  only  more  to  be 
dreaded  by  reason  of  its  debilitating  effect  upon  the  constitutional 
vitality;  the  evacuations  are  frequent,  excessive  and  more  or  less 
fluid;  straining  is  occasionally  but  infrequently  present;  diarrhoea 
may  arise  from  eating  improper  food,  or  taking  impure  water;  the 


206  VETERIXARV    HOMCEOPATHY. 

causes  may  be  functional  only  or  due  to  structural  changes  in  the 
coats  of  the  intestines;  congestion  of  blood  to  the  parts,  and  oc- 
casionalU'  inflammation  arising  from  cold;  through  partaking  of 
large  quantities  of  very  cold  water  when  overheated,  especially  in 
the  summer  time;  or  in  consequence  of  a  check  to  perspiration 
through  standing  about  at  draughty  street  corners  or  other  ex- 
posed places.  In  the  horse  there  is  little  doubt  that  more  often 
than  not  injudicious  dieting  is  responsible  for  the  production  of 
diarrhoea;  changing  the  food  during  spring  time  from  that  which 
is  of  a  hard,  dry  character  to  that  which  is  green,  moist  and  bulky; 
new  hay  and  oats  in  like  manner  are  frequently  accountable  for  a 
relaxed  condition  of  faeces,  as  also  are  oats  that  have  become 
heated  and  turned  acid;  it  is  also  worthy  of  note,  as  being  a  some- 
what remarkable  and  interesting  observation,  that  both  deficiency 
and  great  excess  of  bile  produce  a  liquid  condition  of  the  faeces; 
the  difference  in  the  two  extremes  being  that  deficiency  of  bile 
causes  the  faeces  to  scald  and  irritate  the  mucous  membrane  at  the 
anal  orifice  while  an  excess  of  bile  does  not  bring  about  this  very 
unpleasant  condition  of  the  muco-cutaneous  outlet,  but  imparts  to 
the  faeces  a  very  deep  color  and  pungent  odor  and  renders  them  of 
extremely  fluid  consistence.  According  to  Professor  Robertson, 
raw  potatoes  are  very  calculated  to  produce  diarrhoea,  the  "  faeces 
being  of  a  pale  color,  watery  and  of  a  peculiar  and  penetrating 
odor;"  our  personal  acquaintance  with  the  effect  of  potatoes  has 
been  confined  to  their  use  in  a  cooked  form,  and  we  certainly  did 
not  observe  any  ill  consequences  upon  the  digestive  organs. 
Worms  are  at  times  responsible  for  the  troublesome  and  persistent 
forms  of  diarrhoea,  and  to  quote  Professor  Robertson,  "  the  par- 
ticular parasite  which  appears  more  liable  than  others  to  act  as  an 
inducing  factor  in  the  production  of  this  state  is  the  strongylus 
tctracanthus,  a  very  small  nematoid  of  a  flesh  color,  a  true  blood- 
sucker and  found  inhabiting  the  coats  of  the  intestines,  chiefly  the 
colon  and  caecum.  In  addition  to  other  symptoms  indicative  of 
its  existence  in  this  situation— as  wasting,  an  unhealthy  state  of 
the  skin,  irregular  appetite,  with  the  occasional  appearance  of  a 
lielminth  or  two  in  the  faeces— is  intestinal  irritability,  with  fitful 
diarrhoea,  not  excessively  watery." 

The  only  rational  method  to  cure  diarrhoea  depending   upon 
intruders  of  this  kind  is  to  get  rid  of  the  cause,  but  in  the  case  of 


DIARRHCEA.  207 

this  class  of  worm  it  is  no  easy  task,  as  they  depend  upon  the  hfe 
blood  of  the  host  for  their  sustenance  and,  not  as  many  other 
worms  do  hve  upon  the  food  taken  by  the  host;  the  proper  and 
only  successful  treatment  under  such  circumstances  is  to  admin- 
ister a  remedy  that  will  render  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
intestinal  canal  incompatible  with  the  nourishment  and  existence 
of  these  parasites;  this  is  to  be  done,  not  by  destroying  the  para- 
sites by  means  of  strong  poisonous  drugs,  but  by  the  admin- 
istration of  a  remedy  that  will  restore  the  mucous  membrane  to  a 
thoroughly  healthy  state.  A  very  troublesome  and  dangerous 
form  of  diarrhoea  occasionally  arises  as  the  result  of  an  over  dose 
of  purgative  medicine,  producing  a  condition  known  as  super- 
purgation;  or  it  may  occur  from  undue  exposure  to  cold  or  from 
being  put  to  work  while  an  ordinary  dose  of  purgative  medicine 
is  operating;  under  such  circumstances  it  is  not  wise  to  trust  en- 
tirely to  the  recuperative  powers  of  nature,  some  counteracting 
remedy  must  be  administered  to  check  the  excessive  purgation. 

The  common  practice  is  to  endeavor  to  arrest  diarrhoea  by  ad- 
ministering drugs  that  act  as  astringents,  but  these  measures  are 
unsatisfactory,  unreliable  and  not  infrequently  extremely  prejudi- 
cial; they  merely  temporize  and  do  not  go  to  the  root  of  the  matter, 
inasmuch,  that  while  one  symptom  is  temporarily  relieved  others 
are  aggravated  and  as  a  consequence  a  recurrence  takes  place. 

Treatment. — Aloes  6x. — Loose  motions  accompanied  b}'  great 
straining,  soreness  and  raw  appearance  of  the  anus;  animal  ap- 
pears weak  and  exhausted  after  a  motion ;  quantities  of  gelatinous- 
looking  material  comes  away  with  the  stool. 

Antimo7iiuni  criidum  3X. — Diarrhoea  which  alternates  with  con- 
stipation; dung  balls  are  coated  with  mucus;  rumbling  in  the  ab- 
domen due  to  fermentation  of  ingesta;  inability  to  retain  water, 
urine  thick  and  cloudy;  animal  is  troubled  with  flatulence,  is  ex- 
tremely drowsy  and  loses  flesh  rapidly;  occasionally  an  eruption 
of  the  skin,  the  formation  of  pimples  which  suppurate  and  burst 
is  present;  the  tongue  is  coated  with  a  thick  fur  down  the  middle. 

Acid phosphoricum  3X. — Exhausting  diarrhoea  of  long  standing, 
apparently  painless  and  the  animal  is  unable  to  retain  its  faeces, 
c<^)nstanth'  passing  some  involuntaril)^ 

Arsenicum  allnan  3X. — Diarrhoea  with  extreme  weakness  and 
emaciation;  constant  desire  to  drink;  extremities  cold;  skin  rough 


208  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

and  coat  harsh;  eyes  sunken;  occasional  griping  pains  attend  the 
passing  of  a  motion;  faeces  fluid  and  watery. 

Bryonia  alba  3X. — Although  more  generally  used  in  cases  of 
constipation  this  remedy  finds  its  place  occasionally  in  diarrhoea, 
especially  during  the  heat  of  summer  when  looseness  of  the  bowels 
follows  exposure  from  great  heat  to  sudden  cold,  or  as  the  result 
of  drinking  cold  water  when  heated  by  exertion. 

Camphor — -RubinP s  tincture.  — Or  that  of  a7iy  competent  homoeo- 
pathic chemist  ivho  manufactures  it  at  the  same  strength.  Ten 
drops  on  a  dessertspoonful  of  moist  sugar  laid  far  back  upon  the 
tongue  is  an  invaluable  remedy  for  diarrhoea  wdiere  shivering  and 
coldness  are  observed  in  the  early  stages,  accompanied  b}'  con- 
siderable abdominal  pain.  Dose  to  be  repeated  every  hour  until 
relief  is  obtained. 

China  (■>  for  thin,  watery  diarrhoea  with  which  are  mingled 
large  quantities  of  undigested  food,  and  taking  place  during  the 
height  of  summer  heat;  not  at  any  other  period. 

Ipecacuanha  3X  is  specially  adapted  for  diarrhoea  in  young  foals 
and  colts;  this  often  proves  a  troublesome  condition  to  the  breeder 
and  great  difficulty  is  experienced  in  arresting  looseness  of  bowels 
in  young  animals;  the  faeces  are  of  a  pappy  consistence,  of  a  deep 
yellow  color,  and  considerable  griping  pain  attends  the  evacua- 
tion. The  dysenteric  diarrhoea  in  foals  which  sometimes  occurs, 
when  the  faeces  are  coated  with  mucus  and  tinged  with  blood 
generally  yields  to  this  remedy;  indeed,  among  young  animals  it  is 
an  invaluable  agent  for  this  condition. 

Mercuriiis  corrosivus  6x  is  essentially  the  remedy  for  dysentery, 
when  the  slimy  condition  of  the  faeces  is  the  marked  symptom  of 
the  case,  of  course  accompanied  with  some  blood;  in  other  respects 
the  faeces  are  pale,  clay-colored  and  smell  verj^  offensively.  In 
simple  diarrhoea  when  no  blood  is  passed,  nor  are  there  present 
the  usual  indications  of  the  inflammatory  process,  Mercurius  cor. 
is  still  a  useful  agent;  but  here  again  the  presence  of  slime  and 
the  offensive  odor  are  the  leading  indications  for  its  use. 

Pulsatilla  ix. — This  again  is  a  useful  remedy  for  sucking  foals 
when  the  digestion  is  upset  by  change  of  food;  the  faeces  are 
variable;  sometimes  fluid,  at  others  pasty;  they  are  evacuated 
without  pain,  and  appear  to  pa.ss  awaj^  spontaneously,  the  little 
animal  having  no  control  and  being  apparently  unconscious  that 


DIARRHCEA.  209 

the  motion  is  passing;  it  is  said  that  one  noticeable  symptom  for 
this  drug  is  that  the  diarrhoea  generally  occurs  during  the  night; 
this  latter  we  have  not  noticed,  but  it  is  a  S3'mpton  worth  observa- 
tion, as  it  might  serve  to  lead  to  the  selection  of  this  drug  at  a 
critical  time  when  other  treatment  had  failed. 

Podophyllum  3X. — Among  5'oung  animals  diarrhoea  and  the 
straining'which  frequentl}^  exists  in  conjunction  therewith  result 
in  a  prolapse  of  the  rectum;  this  complication  often  proves  very 
troublesome,  and  it  is  more  than  gratifying  to  be  able  to  suggest 
a  remedy  that  will  overcome  this  vexatious  condition  of  affairs; 
Podophyllum  is  that  remedy;  the  agent  appears  to  have  a  special 
affinity  for  the  small  intestines,  and  when  they  are  the  principal 
seat  of  the  diarrhceic  diathesis.  Podophyllum  will  speedily  afford 
relief;  indeed,  when  the  inflammatory  process  has  attacked  the 
duodenum  jejunum  and  ileum  it  is  the  best  remedy  to  allay  the 
condition  and  effect  a  cure;  the  rectum  again  is  another  locality 
that  feels  the  influence  of  this  drug,  especially  among  young 
animals;  this  remedy  is  indicated  also  when  the  diarrhoea  takes 
place  early  in  the  morning;  the  amount  of  f£eces  passed  is  usually 
very  large  and  the  smell  offensive,  said  to  be  not  unlike  that  of 
carrion;  a  symptom  we  are  able  to  confirm  from  experience. 

Rheum  3X. — We  once  had  a  ver}-  notable  case  in  which  this  drug 
effected  a  distinctly  marked  cure;  and  the  symptom  that  led  to 
its  selection  was  "  purgation  on  movement;"  the  horse  for  which 
we  prescribed  this  remedy  had  been  suffering  from  the  disease  for 
a  long  period;  so  long  as  the  animal  remained  quiet  in  the  stable 
the  action  of  the  bowels  was  normal,  but  directh'  he  was  taken  to 
work  and  began  to  trot,  the  purging  came  on — it  was  a  butcher's 
horse;  three  doses  of  Rhetnn  ser\'ed  to  effect  a  permanent  cure 
and  that  without  any  recurrence. 


14 


DISEASES  OF  THE  LIVER 


Among  the  somewhat  complex  functions  of  the  Hver  the  most 
prominent  and  important  is  undoubtedly  that  of  the  formation  of 
bile  to  assist  in  the  digestion  of  food.  Phj^siologists  have  already 
made  some  most  important  discoveries  respecting  the  action  of 
bile,  but  if  we  may  judge  by  what  has  already  been  brought  before 
our  notice  concerning  the  functions  of  this  organ,  we  can  only 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  there  is  much  more  to  be  learned  than 
has  yet  come  to  light;  one  very  interesting  coincidence  has  been 
observed  by  us;  the  absence  of  bile  is  productive  of  a  very  irritat- 
ing form  of  diarrhoea;  the  presence  of  an  excess  of  bile  results  in 
a  form  of  diarrhoea  that  differs  from  the  previous  kind  by  an 
absence  of  irritation,  by  an  excess  of  coloring  material  and  by  its 
peculiar  odor;  we  do  not  for  one  moment  arrogate  to  ourselves 
the  ability  to  explain  these  differences,  we  merely  state  that  such 
is  our  experience,  and  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  "much  has  yet  to 
be  learned  from  the  physiologist's  standpoint  as  to  the  functions 
of  this  organ.  Horses  do  not  fall  victims  so  readily  to  diseased 
liver  as  do  dogs,  nevertheless  the  frequent  complications  with 
other  forms  of  disease  in  which  the  liver  is  involved  serve  to  prove 
how  sensitive  this  organ  is  and  how  easily  it  gets  out  of  order;  in 
the  course  of  this  work  frequent  reference  is  made  to  liver  compli- 
cations as  evidenced  by  a  yellow  condition  of  the  visible  mucous 
membranes,  the  high  color  of  the  urine,  and  the  state  of  the  fasces, 
we  have  frequently  remarked  that  were  horses  and  dogs  as  free 
livers  as  men,  and  included  alcohol  in  their  dietary,  they  would 
in  all  probability  be  the  subjects  of  very  decided  liver  complaints, 
quite  as  troublesome,  if  not  more  so,  as  in  the  human  subject; 
moreover,  the  relations  of  the  liver  with  other  organs,  and  its 
capabilities  of  influencing  them  in  the  performance  of  their  func- 
tions, are  deserving  of  consideration  and  attention;  among  these 
latter  may  be  mentioned  one  very  curious  instance  in  which  a 
deranged  liver  has  been  held  responsible  for  lameness  of  the  ofE 

2IO 


CONGESTION   OF   LIVER  2  I  I 

fore  limb;  it  is  therefore  desirable  and  important  in  the  interests  of 
the  owner  and  the  welfare  of  the  horse  to  be  always  alive  to  any 
possible  liver  complications  that  may  arise  in  connection  with 
almost  every  form  of  disease,  the  suggestive  indications  of  which 
have  already  been  mentioned. 

CONGESTION  OF  LIVER 

Is  intimately  connected  with  disturbance  of  the  heart  due  either 
to  an  obstruction  of  the  flow  of  blood  as  it  returns  through  the 
large  veins,  or  to  an  increase  of  blood  over  and  above  the  normal 
in  the  blood  vessels  which  convey  the  vital  fluid  to  and  from  the 
organ  itself;  it  has  already  been  stated  that  the  principal  function 
of  the  liver  is  the  formation  of  bile;  the  organ  "is  made  up  of 
small  roundish  or  oval  portions  called  lobules  each  of  which  is 
about  2V  of  s^  ^^^^^  ^^^  diameter,  and  composed  of  the  minute 
branches  of  the  portal  vein,  hepatic  arter}',  hepatic  duct  and  he- 
patic vein;  while  the  interstices  of  these  vessels  are  filled  by  the 
liver  cells.  These  cells  which  make  up  a  great  portion  of  the 
substance  of  the  organ  are  rounded  or  polygonal  from  about  g^^- 
to  Y^ViT  of  an  inch  in  diameter  containing  well-marked  nuclei  and 
granules  and  having  sometimes  a  yellowish  tinge,  especially  about 
their  nuclei;  frequently  also  they  contain  also  various-sized  parti- 
cles of  fat.  Each  lobule  is  very  sparingly  invested  by  areolar  tis- 
sue "  {Kif'ke's  Physiology).  The  small  vessles  described  as  ducts 
convey  the  bile  after  it  is  formed  in  the  cells  to  the  main  duct, 
which  empties  itself  into  the  intestines,  and  as  these  lie  in  juxta- 
position to  the  numerous  blood  vessels  already  named  it  will  be 
apparent  how  it  is  that  an  excessive  accumulation  of  blood,  which 
does  not  pass  away  from  the  organ  as  it  should  do,  accounts  for 
much  that  would  otherwise  be  difficult  to  understand  in  relation  to 
the  yellow  color  imparted  to  the  visible  mucous  membranes,  from 
which  we  learn  by  ocular  demonstration  that  the  functions  of  the 
liver  are  disorganized  and  out  of  order,  for  it  would  appear  that 
when  the  flow  of  blood  out  of  the  organ  is  retarded,  pressure  is 
brought  to  bear  on  the  bile  ducts,  hindering  the  free  passage  of  the 
bile  in  its  right  course  and  causing  it  to  pass  through  the  walls  of 
the  ducts  into  and  through  those  of  the  blood  vessels,  by  which 
means  the  blood  stream  is  overcharged  with  bile  and  its  color 
altered,  and  in  this  w^ay  the  yellow  tinge  is  imparted  to  the  pale 


212  VETERIXARY    HOMOEOPATHY. 

mucous  membranes  as  the  blood  continues  its  course  over  the  gen- 
eral system. 

Symptoms. — Yellow  condition  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  eyes 
and  mouth;  pain  of  the  right  side  in  region  of  liver,  just  behind 
the  last  rib,  which  the  horse  shows  by  frequently  turning  his 
head  in  this  direction  and  by  tenderness  on  manipulation;  marked 
languor  and  dulness;  impaired  appetite;  frequent  pulse  and  quick 
respirations;  but  unless  complicated  with  other  disease  the  temper- 
ature remains  about  normal;  legs  and  ears  are  frequently  cold;  at 
the  same  time  it  will  be  well  to  examine  the  patient  for  diseases 
of  heart,  lungs  and  intestines,  as  complications  are  frequently 
present. 

Hepatitis  or  inflammation  of  the  liver  rarely  occurs  among  horses; 
and  "  the  condition  when  affecting  the  horse  I  have  not  been  able 
during  life  to  differentiate  from  the  congestive  actions  already 
noticed.  The  existence  of  hepatic  disturbance  may  be  certain;  to 
determine  whether  the  gland  is  congested  or  superficially  inflamed 
is,  in  the  greater  number  of  cases,  not  possible.  The  history  of 
the  case  may  in  some  instances  assist  us."  (Robertson).  The  ex- 
perience of  this  writer  is  in  complete  harmony  with  our  own,  but 
we  have  quoted  his  own  words  in  proof  of  the  fact  we  are  not 
alone  in  being  unable  to  definitely  distinguish  in  all  cases  between 
simple  congestive  and  inflammatory  action;  we  shall  therefore 
proceed  to  deal  with  the  treatment  of  the  disease  as  it  generally 
.presents  itself  among  horses. 

Treatment. — Bryonia  3X. — Tenderness  on  pressure;  region 
of  liver  may  be  slightly  swollen  and  enlarged;  giddiness;  pale 
3^ellowness  of  skin  and  mucous  membranes;  constipation,  no  incli- 
nation to  pass  faeces. 

Mercurius  solubilis  3X. — Shivering;  cold  sweat;  faeces  pale  in 
color,  constipated  and  offensive  to  the  smell;  appetite  suspended; 
eyes  and  mouth  yellow,  but  the  skin  is  sallow  looking;  horse  ex- 
periences so  much  pain  in  the  region  of  liver  that  he  rarely  lies 
down,  and  when  he  does,  it  is  to  rest  on  the  near  side;  the  faeces 
may  be  relaxed,  in  which  case  they  give  evidence  of  the  presence 
of  an  excess  of  bile  so  far  as  the  color  is  concerned. 

Aconite  3X  in  cases  of  sudden  and  acute  bilious  fever,  when  the 
temperature  is  exalted  and  the  pulse  and  respirations  much  more 


CONGESTION    OF   THE    LIVER.  213 

frequent  than  the}-  should  be;  bihous  attacks  that  are  the  result 
of  cold  and  chill. 

Chelidonium  majus  <->  has  a  marked  action  on  the  liver;  chronic 
inflammation,  jaundice  and  the  presence  of  gall  stones  call  for  its 
remedial  powers,  and  derive  marked  benefit  therefrom;  the  faeces 
may  be  either  soft  and  of  a  deep  j^ellow  color,  or  constipated  and 
very  pale;  the  skin  and  visible  mucous  membranes  are  generally 
of  a  deep  orange  color,  such  as  is  observed  in  a  true  case  of 
jaundice;  the  urine  thick,  of  a  deep  yellow  color,  and  leaving  a 
sediment  after  evaporation;  the  tongue  thickly  coated  with  yellow 
fur. 

Leptandra  Virginica  0. — The  usual  symptoms  of  bilious  fever 
or  jaundice,  but  with  one  especial  distinguishing  characteristic  of 
the  faeces,  "■frequent,  profuse,  black,  foetid  aiid  papescenty 
(Hughes). 

Lycopodium  3X. — Obstinate  constipation;  action  of  kidneys  un- 
usually active,  a  great  deal  of  urine  passed  during  the  night; 
rumbling  of  wind  in  the  intestines;  visible  mucous  membranes 
pale  and  sallow;  extreme  tenderness  on  manipulating  the  seat  of 
the  liver;  oppressed  breathing;  deposit  of  brick-dust-looking  sedi- 
ment with  the  urine. 

Hepar  sulphur  6x  in  cases  of  congested  liver  after  the  patients 
have  been  ineffectually  dosed  with  too  large  quantities  of  calomel. 

Accessory  Measures. — Food  of  a  non-stimulating  character 
should  be  allowed  in  moderate  quantity  only;  corn  of  all  descrip- 
tions must  be  temporarily  suspended;  if  the  time  of  year  permits 
it,  artificial  grasses,  such  as  clover  and  lucerne,  form  the  best  and 
most  suitable  articles  of  diet;  the  horse  should  be  placed  in  a 
roomy  loose  box,  wherein  he  can  move  about  if  so  disposed,  and 
so  soon  as  convalescence  is  established  exercise  on  a  graduallj^  in- 
creasing scale  should  be  given,  the  horse  being  led  by  hand  for 
this  purpose;  but  actual  work  must  not  be  attempted  until  the 
animal  has  resumed  his  natural  vigor  and  life,  and  even  then 
should  be  brought  to  it  by  degrees. 


DISEASES  OF  THE 
URINARY  AND  GENERATIVE  ORGANS. 


In  attempting  to  treat  of  these  subjects  in  a  plain  and  easy-to- 
be-understood  manner,  we  confess  to  entertaining  some  fear  as  to 
success,  for  we  recognize  no  little  difficulty  in  the  effort  before  us; 
it  is  indeed  by  no  means  a  simple  matter  to  explain  why  such 
difficulty  exists:  the  fact,  however,  is  an  acknowledged  one,  that 
even  in  the  realm  of  physiology,  masters  of  the  science  are  unable 
to  reconcile,  one  with  the  other,  the  multifarious  details  affecting 
the  functions  of  the  organs  now  under  consideration,  and  precisely 
as  to  the  results  of  the  performance  of  said  functions.  It  is,  how- 
ever, desirable  for  the  better  appreciation  of  the  disea.ses  affecting 
the  urinary  organs,  that  it  should  be  understood  that  broadly 
speaking  their  functions  are  the  separation  from  the  blood  of  those 
substances  that  the  body  has  no  further  use  for,  the  collection  of 
such  in  a  state  of  solution  and  their  conveyance  out  of  the  body; 
the  kidneys  are  the  organs  through  the  medium  of  which  the 
effete  material  in  the  blood  is  separated  and  collected  for  trans- 
mission through  tubes  which  connect  the  kidneys  with  the  bladder, 
the  receptacle  provided  for  retention  of  the  urine  as  it  is 
drop  by  'drop  filtered  through  the  kidneys;  from  the  blad- 
der it  passes  through  a  still  larger  tube  called  the  urethra, 
which  in  the  male  passes  down  the  full  length  of  the  generative 
organ,  while  in  the  female  it  empties  it.self  into  the  genital  canal 
about  two  or  three  inches  from  the  opening  of  the  same.  To  re- 
turn to  the  kidneys,  their  mechanism  is  arranged  structurally  to 
realize  a  continuous  process  of  steady  filtration;  very  minute  blood 
vessels  lie  side  by  side  with  equally  minute  tubes  for  the  collection 
of  urine,  the  arrangements  for  which  are  most  beautifully  ordered 
for  the  realization  of  this  object;  the  power  of  selection — if  such 
a  term  may  be  applied — which  the  kidneys  possess  to  draw  off 
from  the  blood,  only  those  constituents  which  are  worn  out  and 

214 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  AND  GENERATIVE  ORGANS.      21  5 

done  with  is  certainly  remarkable:  according  to  the  amount  of 
pressure  in  the  blood  stream,  which  is,  in  a  great  measure  at  least, 
regulated  by  the  force  of  the  heart's  contractions,  so  chiefly  is  the 
secretion  of  the  urine  augmented  or  decreased;  at  the  same  time 
the  secretion  may  be  modified  if  there  is  an  obstruction  in  the 
veins,  which  is  one  way  of  explaining  in  what  way  the  liver, 
when  the  portal  circulation  is  out  of  order,  has  an  influence  on 
the  urinary  secretion;  by  way  of  illustrating  the  power  which 
blood  pressure  has  in  the  production  of  urine,  it  is  only  necessary 
to  refer  to  the  well  known  fact  that  in  hot  weather  much  less  urine 
is  passed  than  in  cold,  assuming  that  the  amounts  of  fluid  taken 
into  the  body  are  nearly  equal;  this  is  due  to  the  relaxed  condition 
of  the  capillaries  of  the  skin  through  which  the  watery  constitu- 
ents of  the  blood  exude  in  the  form  of  perspiration,  consequently 
the  amount  of  fluid  that  has  to  be  filtered  through  the  kidneys  is 
much  reduced. 

It  should  also  be  understood  that  while  one  of  the  main  func- 
tions of  the  kidneys  is  that  of  filtration  from  the  blood,  there  are 
recognized  constituents  in  the  urine  which  have  not  been  observed 
in  the  same  form  in  the  blood,  hence  the  conclusion  has  been  ar- 
rived at  that  the  kidneys  have  the  power  of  secretion,  and  that 
certain  constituents  are  added  to  the  urine  in  its  passage 
through  the  tubes  of  the  kidneys;  putting  these  facts  together,  it 
will  be  seen  that  the  functions  ot  the  kidnej-s  are  of  a  twofold 
character;  namel}^  first,  the  function  of  filtrating  the  watery  and 
soluble  substances  from  the  blood;  and,  second,  the  removal  of 
certain  constituents  w4iich  go  to  make  up  the  whole  of  the  urine 
bj'  means  of  a  secretory  power  possessed  by  the  uriniferous  tubes; 
these  facts  are  worth  noting  and  have  a  special  interest  when  deal- 
ing with  a  case  of  suppres.sion  of  urine  in  the  horse.  If  a  kidney 
be  cut  into  two  equal  sections  and  the  surface  of  the  cut  portion 
examined  under  a  powerful  magnifying  glass,  it  will  be  seen  that 
it  consists  mainly  of  convoluted  tubes  of  various  sizes,  while  the 
central  portion  of  the  organ  forms  a  cavit}'  w^herein  the  secretion  is 
collected;  from  thence  the  urine  passes  down  a  single  tube  of  pro- 
portionately larger  calibre  and  is  emptied  into  the  bladder,  w'hich 
is  an  organ  consisting  of  various  kinds  of  muscles  lined  internally 
with  mucous  membrane;  as  the  bladder  becomes  filled  the  desire 
to  evacuate  same  arises  throu2:h   the  influence  of  certain  nerve 


2l6  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

branches  from  the  spinal  cord,  and  the  desire  is  responded  to  by 
the  action  of  special  nerves  upon  certain  muscular  fibres,  which  go 
to  make  up  the  walls  of  the  bladder,  and  therefore  these  muscular 
fibres  contract  and  in  this  way  make  the  organ  itself  smaller,  and 
so  the  urine  is  forced  out  into  the  urethra  and  from  thence  dis- 
charged as  hereinbefore  explained;  other  influences  are  brought 
to  bear  in  assisting  the  bladder  to  empt)'  itself,  but  this  will  suffice 
for  the  object  in  view,  namely,  to  supply  a  cursory  glance  of  the 
function  of  urination.  In  order  that  the  importance  of  obtaining 
an  intelligent  appreciation  of  this  subject  may  be  impressed  upon 
the  reader,  it  may  be  well  to  state,  as  shortly  as  possible,  the  prin- 
cipal constituents  of  urine;  and  as  we  proceed  it  is  hoped  that  it 
will  be  discovered  this  has  an  important  bearing  upon  the  health 
of  horses,  as  observations  of  the  appearance  of  urine,  so  far  as 
regards  color  and  consistence  are  made.  In  the  first  place,  the 
specific  gravity  of  the  horse's  urine  averages  1045;  the  range 
varies  from  1 01 6  to  1060,  the  variations  depend  in  a  great  measure 
upon  the  mode  of  feeding  as  well  as  upon  diseased  conditions;  the 
diet  also  has  a  bearing  upon  the  condition  of  urine  whether  the 
same  gives  an  acid  or  an  alkaline  reaction  upon  testing,  a  process 
that  furnishes  valuable  aid  in  selecting  a  drug  under  certain  con- 
ditions. The  constituent  composition  of  urine  in  health  is  ap- 
proximately made  up  of  water,  urea  and  uric  acid,  which  are  de- 
composition products  of  food  and  of  the  tissues  of  the  body;  hippuric 
acid  deriv^ed  chiefl}^  from  food;  coloring  and  aromatic  matters,  and 
salts,  among  which  the  phosphates  abound.  Much  greater  care 
in  observing  the  state  of  the  urine  is  called  for  than  is  generally 
exhibited  during  periods  of  illness,  and  there  are  several  points 
calling  for  special  consideration;  for  instance,  urine  may  have 
either  an  excess  or  deficienc)^  of  the  watery  constituents;  an  excess 
of  water  may  under  certain  conditions  be  favorable,  as  it  serves  to 
wash  away  from  the  tubes  of  the  kidneys  any  accumulation  of 
solid  matter  that  has  collected  during  disease;  on  the  other  hand 
it  may  be  an  evidence  of  disease  itself,  as  in  one  form  of  diabetes. 
Then,  with  regard  to  apparent  deficiency  of  water,  it  ma)'  be  due 
to  the  fact  of  the  horse  having  been  submitted  to  hard  work  in 
hot  weather  causing  considerable  perspiration;  or  the  increase  of 
urea  and  other  solid  constituents  ma)-  be  larger  without  a  relative 
increase  in  the  water;  in  both  instances  the  alteration  may  take 


CONGESTION   OF   KIDNEYS.  217 

place  without  involving  any  morbid  conditions;  but  should  the 
changes  occur  in  conjunction  with  the  development  of  some  febrile 
disease  it  would  be  clear  that  the  one  was  associated  with  the  other 
and  this  would  undoubtedl}^  be  an  aid  to  diagnosis  and  treatment. 
Further,  it  may  be  found  by  examination  that  there  are  substances 
present  in  the  urine  that  are  not  found  in  health,  such  as  albumen, 
bile,  sugar,  any  or  all  of  which  will  be  present  in  a  state  of  solu- 
tion and  require  chemical  tests  to  discover  their  presence;  blood, 
pus  and  mucus,  the  presence  of  which  can  be  determined  by 
microscopical  and  chemical  examination.  It  would  not  serve  anj^ 
useful  purpose  to  mention  in  detail  the  several  methods  of  testing 
for  the  presence  of  such  abnormal  and  foreign  substances,  the 
safest  and  cheapest  procedure  is  to  submit  the  urine  to  a  qualified 
analytical  chemist,  and  obtain  a  full  report,  as  much  may  depend 
upon  a  proper  appreciation  of  the  actual  facts  as  to  the  nature  of 
the  disease,  its  locality  and  conditions;  and  this  is  the  more  im- 
portant, inasmuch  as  distant  organs  like  the  liver  and  the  lungs, 
to  say  nothing  of  the  organs  of  digestion  and  circulation,  exercise 
a  distinct  and  unmistakable  influence  upon  the  urinary  secretion, 
and  it  is  absolutely  necessar}'  to  differentiate  between  morbid  con- 
ditions due  to  other  and  distant  organs  and  morbid  lesions  of  the 
urinary  organs  themselves.  We  commenced  the  chapter  by  assert- 
ing that  the  subject  of  the  urinary  organs  was  a  complex  and  diffi- 
cult one,  and  we  believe  this  brief  introduction  to  the  main  sub- 
jects will  in  the  opinion  of  our  readers  fully  justify  the  assertion. 

CONGESTION  OF  KIDNEYS. 


RENAL  CONGESTION. 

By  renal  congestion  is  to  be  understood  an  excess  of  blood  in 
the  structure  of  the  kidnej^s;  this  congestion  is  a  condition  which 
invariably  precedes  inflammation  of  these,  or,  indeed,  any  organ 
of  the  bod}-;  and  if  the  congestion  can  be  allayed,  inflammation 
will  never  follow.  The  word  inflammation  with  the  ordinary 
stableman,  or  even  with  the  horse-knacker,  is  a  phrase  that  is  vul- 
garly applied  to  almost  every  case  of  illness  where  there  is  an  evi- 
dence of  excess  of  blood  to  a  part  without  regard  to  the  real  dis- 
ease conditions  or  the  organs  affected;  and  we  have  repeatedly 


2l8  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

heard  post-mortem  congestion  of  the  king,  on  the  side  the  dead 
horse  had  lain  for  some  hours,  seriously  described  as  inflamma- 
tion; it  is  therefore  desirable  that  a  more  intelligent  appreciation 
of  the  meaning  of  these  words  should  be  accepted  by  those  who 
peruse  these  pages.  Congestion  of  the  kidneys  is  not  frequently 
met  with  in  the  horse,  a  somewhat  remarkable  fact  when  we  bear 
in  mind  that  it  is  capable  of  development  as  the  result  of  intro- 
ducing into  the  system  such  irritant  agents  as  Turpentine  and 
Cantharides,  both  of  which  are  frequently  use4  as  outward  appli- 
cations in  connection  with  blistering  and  stimulating  operations; 
we  have  known  more  than  one  case  where  distinct  evidence  of 
renal  congestion  was  shown  following  a  blister  applied  to  the  loins 
for  a  sprained  back  caused  by  a  horse  over-jumpingin  the  hunting 
field;  and  one  case  in  which  a  horse  had  an  application  of  Turpen- 
tine over  his  ribs  for  congestion  of  the  lungs;  the  best  antidote  in 
such  cases  is  Camphor;  the  fact  remains,  however,  as  a  standing 
monument  in  proof  of  the  truth  of  the  principles  of  Homoeopathy, 
inasmuch  as  both  these  drugs  prove  remedial  in  all  simple  cases  of 
congestion  of  the  kidneys  when  brought  on  from  cold  or  following 
upon  some  specific  fever.  It  is  desirable  in  all  cases  to  observe 
the  sj^mptoms  which  indicate  a  congested  condition  of  the  kid- 
neys, in  order  to  prevent  its  developing  into  true  inflammation, 
and  probably  one  of  the  earliest  of  these  is  suppression  of  urine; 
the  horse  will  repeatedly  posture  himself,  as  for  the  act  of  mictur- 
ition, and  strain  out  a  few  drops  only  of  thick,  turbid  urine,  some- 
times accompanied  with  a  little  blood,  but  the  latter  will  not 
always  be  observable  to  the  naked  eye,  while  yet  again,  the  red 
coloring  material  may  be  distinctly  observable  and  no  blood 
corpuscles  visible  under  the  microscope,  these  being  present  in  a 
broken-up  state.  The  constitutional  symptoms  are  not  sufficiently 
marked  to  enable  one  to  rely  upon  them  as  a  sure  indication  that 
the  horse  is  wrong,  therefore  we  shall  pass  on  to  the 

Treatment. — Provided  that  Turpentine  is  not  the  cause  of  con- 
gestion, there  is  no  remedy  more  likely  to  prove  effectual  than  Tere- 
binthina  3X.  Other  remedies,  such  as  Belladonna ,  Mercurius  corro- 
sivus,  Ca^iiharis  and  Arsenic  have  produced  congested  kidneys  and 
would  no  doubt  prove  serviceable  under  given  conditions,  but  these 
it  is  not  worth  while  reverting  to,  in  face  of  the  almost  invariable 
success  of  Terebinth.      There  is,  however,  one  condition  that  may 


INFLAMMATION   OF    KIDNEYS.  219 

give  rise  to  renal  congestion,  namely,  external  violence  and  conse- 
quent injuries  to  the  renal  organs,  when,  as  a  rule.  Arnica  2 x  will 
be  found  most  suitable,  and  the  internal  administration  of  this  drug 
may  very  usefully  be  combined  with  an  outward  application  of  a 
lotion  of  the  same  1-6  applied  as  a  compress.  In  all  cases  where 
the  patient  exhibits  symptoms  of  great  pain  by  uneasiness  and 
unwillingness  to  rest,  warm  compresses  should  be  applied  by 
wringing  out  flannel  dipped  in  boiling  water,  apply  same  when  at 
all  bearable,  cover  with  oil  skin,  and  over  that  again  a  thick  horse 
cloth. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  KIDNEYS. 


NEPHRITIS. 

Like  some  other  organs  of  complex  structure,  the  kidneys  may 
be  the  seat  of  inflammation  as  a  whole — certain!}'  a  rare  occur- 
rence in  the  horse — or  as  is  more  common,  one  portion  of  their 
structure  is  in  a  state  of  inflammation,  while  the  other  may  be 
entirely  free  from  the  influence  of  inflammatory  products;  while 
it  is  common  practice  among  laymen  to  speak  of  inflammation  of 
the  kidneys  in  a  general  sort  of  way  as  though  one  form  and  one 
only  existed,  it  is  desirable  for  the  sake  of  successful  treatment  to 
endeavor  to  make  it  clear  that  a  distinction  exists,  what  that  dis- 
tinction is  and  how  it  may  be  discovered.  Already  an  attempt, 
though  a  very  crude  one,  has  been  made  to  explain  something  of 
the  anatomical  structure  of  a  kidney,  and  we  got  so  far  as  to  show 
that  this  organ  consisted  mainly  of  tubes  of  varying  size  and  con- 
figuration, arranged  in  bundles,  and  that  as  well  as  the  tubes 
their  structure  consisted  also  of  various  shades  and  sizes  of  blood 
vessels;  now  it  will  no  doubt  appear  quite  feasible — indeed  abso- 
lutely necessary — that  some  sort  of  support  should  be  supplied  to 
keep  these  tubes  and  blood  vessels  in  place,  and  so  there  is  a 
fibrous  network  cunningly  introduced  between  the  interstices  of 
the  tubes  described  as  ''connective  tissue,'"  the  whole  being  en- 
closed and  kept  in  shape  by  a  beautifully  fine  membrane  called 
the  capsule.  Not  to  burden  the  reader  with  an  unnecessarily  long 
explanation  we  shall  divide  the  possible  inflammatory  conditions 
of  the  kidney  into  two  groups;  first — inflammation  of  the  tubes  or 


2  20  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY 

tubal  nephritis;  and  second — inflammation  of  the  ^'connective 
tissue''  ox  interstitial  nephritis;  a  third  condition  however  some- 
times arises  which  may  develop  either  among  the  tubes  or  in  the 
substance  of  the  ' '  connective  tissue  ' '  and  may  therefore  become 
a  sequel  to  either  of  the  two  main  groups  of  inflammation,  namely, 
suppurative  nephritis,  or  the  formation  of  abscesses  due  very  fre- 
quently to  blood  poisoning.  The  next  question  that  arises  for 
consideration  is  how  are  these  two  main  groups  of  inflammation 
to  be  recognized  the  one  from  the  other. 

When  the  tubes  are  the  seat  of  inflammation,  the  deleterious 
and  effete  matter  which  is  trying  to  make  its  way  out  of  the  sys- 
tem through  the  kidneys  blocks  up  the  urine  tubes  because  the 
quantity  of  material  to  be  conveyed  is  in  excess  of  the  capacity  of 
the  tubes,  this  being  the  origin  of  the  primary  congestion  and 
subsequent  inflammation;  there  being  under  these  conditions  no 
suppression  of  urine,  the  fluid  constituents  are  unable  to  pass  out 
as  in  health  and  a  regular  block  takes  place;  the  consequence  is 
that  with  the  pressure  of  the  blood  stream  behind,  the  fluid  por- 
tions must  find  an  exit  somewhere,  and  dropsical  effusions  under 
the  skin  are  the  result  and  albumen  almost  invariably  makes  its 
appearance  in  the  urine;  in  the  horse,  the  most  common  localities 
for  the  effusions  to  first  appear  are  the  breast  and  the  penis,  some- 
times extending  along  the  floor  of  the  abdomen;  as  in  the  case  of 
renal  congestion  the  first  thhig  to  attract  the  stableman's  atten- 
-tion  is  the  uneasiness,  the  repeated  posturing  with  hind  and  fore 
legs  as  about  to  micturate,  standing  up  again  and  so  on  until  per- 
haps a  small  quantity  of  thickish-looking  urine  is  passed;  a  turn- 
ing round  of  the  head  first  to  one  side  and  then  the  other,  and  if 
not  tied  up  occasionally  lying  down  and  on  rising  making  a 
further  effort  to  pass  water. 

The  horse  will  experience  some  general  disturbance  affecting 
temperature  (103  degrees),  pulse  (75),  respiration  uncertain.  The 
appetite  for  food  will  be  decidedly  impaired  and  the  desire  for 
fluids  almost  nil;  the  horse  will  evince  a  good  deal  of  pain  when 
called  upon  to  move,  and  the  hind  legs  will  be  dragged  along  in  a 
stiff,  almost  helpless  manner;  gentle  pressure  over  the  loins  on 
either  side  of  the  spinal  column  will  cause  the  animal  to  exhibit 
distinct  evidence  of  tenderness  and  pain.  An  opportunity  must 
be  availed  of,  when  the  horse  is  able  to  pass  a  little  water  to  have 


NEPHRITIS.  221 

some  collected  in  a  perfectly  dean  vessel;  this  should  at  once  be 
carefully  transferred  to  a  clea7t  bottle,  tighth^  corked  down  and 
forwarded  to  the  nearest  analytical  chemist  without  loss  of  time, 
and  should  the  report  confirm  the  natural  suspicion  that  tube 
casts,  albumen  and  possibly  blood  are  present,  good  reason  will 
exist  for  administering  Cantharis  -^yiovoxy  three  hours;  should  this 
fail  to  give  relief  in  the  course  of  twelve  hours,  and  the  suppres- 
sion of  the  urine  thereafter  becomes  complete  then  Tcrebinthina 
IX  must  be  tested. 

In  those  cases  wherein  the  effusion  under  the  skin  is  very  pro- 
nounced and  the  exhalations  from  the  skin  have  a  decided  urinifer- 
ous  smell,  Terebinthina  should  be  given  in  the  first  instance,  and 
when  the  urinary  troubles  are  relieved  therefrom,  but  the  effusions 
remain  as  large  as  before,  Apis  niel.  ix  three  times  a  day  should 
be  given.  This  urinary  difficulty  occasionally  arises  as  a  sequel 
to  strangles  or  influenza  in  the  horse;  when  this  is  so,  and  the 
dropsical  condition  about  the  chest  and  other  parts  is  slow  to  be 
removed,  Arsenicum  3X  grains  ten  three  times  a  day  will  often 
effect  the  desired  object  and  otherwise  tend  to  restore  the  animal 
to  a  good  state  of  health  and  vigor. 

To  return  to  the  other  group,  nameh^  Interstitial  nephritis,  or 
inflammation  of  the  connective  tissue  of  the  organ,  we  have  to 
deal  with  a  far  more  serious  condition  of  affairs,  but  fortunately 
for  horse  owners  one  only  rarely  observed  in  that  animal;  it  has 
been  stated  that  it  may  start  as  a  sequel  to  tubal  nephritis  or  in 
an  independent  character  of  its  own;  moreover,  the  extent  of  the 
parts  affected  varies,  which  no  doubt  makes  a  deal  of  difference  in 
the  results  of  treatment.  By  a  remarkable  coincidence,  so  far  as 
cause  and  effect  have  a  bearing  upon  the  treatment  suggested  for 
this  description  of  renal  inflammation,  we  find  that  the  late  Prof. 
Robertson  in  his  masterly  work  on  "  Equine  Medicine,'"  when  deal- 
ing with  the  ' '  causation  ' '  of  this  morbid  condition  states,  ' '  slow 
ingestion  of  lead  and  some  of  its  salts  are  said  to  induce  the 
condition,"  while  Dr.  Hughes  in  \)xs  Manual  of  Therapeutics  \n 
the  chapter  devoted  to  this  subject  affirms,  "I  have  always 
pointed  out  that  our  most  hopeful  outlook  is  in  the  direction  of 
Plumbum.''''  In  comparing  these  two  statements,  emanating  as 
they  do  from  such  eminent  authorities,  we  are  compelled  to  come 
to  the  conclusion  that  a   distinct  pathogenetic  and  therapeutic 


222  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

relation  exists  between  lead  and  interstitial  nephritis.  We  have 
never  seen  a  case  in  the  horse,  but  have  good  reason  for  believing 
that  we  once  enjoyed  the  exceptional  opportunity  of  doing  so  in 
the  cow;  so  far  as  the  animal  was  concerned  she  presented  a  most 
perfect  picture  of  lead  poisoning  one  could  ever  expect  or  wish  to 
see,  still  no  opportunity  had  existed  for  her  to  partake  of  the 
poison.  Without  the  slightest  hesitation  therefore  we  prescribed 
Plumbum  3X,  grains  xv  ever}'  four  hours,  and  one  of  the  most 
unexpected  and  marvellous  cures  was  effected  we  ever  expect  to 
witness;  the  cow's  urine  gave  unmistakable  evidence  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  kidneys;  this  was  accompanied  with  spasmodic  colic, 
knuckling  over  of  the  hind  fetlock  joints;  paralysis  of  the  intes- 
tines; frightful  emaciation;  constipation;  retracted  abdomen;  sup- 
prevSsion  of  milk  secretion;  slow,  lethargic  pulse;  breathing  op- 
pressed; temperature  below  normal;  eyes  amaurotic;  the  urine 
had  to  be  drawn  off  with  the  catheter,  and  the  passage  of  the  faeces 
was  assisted  with  repeated  injections  of  warm  water,  and  when 
passed  consisted  of  small,  black,  bullet-shaped  masses.  Now, 
although  this  was  not  a  complicated  case  of  interstitial  nephritis 
we  feel  justified  in  quoting  it  as  a  practical  illustration  of  the  suit- 
ability of  Plumbum  for  this  disease  condition. 

We  now  pass  on  to  the  consideration  of  suppurative  nephritis, 
namely  that  condition  in  which  ordinary  inflammation  has  devel- 
oped into  the  formation  of  abscesses;  the  only  special  symptom 
over  and  above  those  already  indicated  is  the  presence  in  the 
urine  of  matter  or  pus;  here  again  the  analytical  chemist  must  be 
consulted  with  a  view  to  definite  information  upon  which  reliance 
may  be  placed.  Beyond  the  ordinary  possibility  of  inflammation 
developing  suppuration,  abscesses  may  arise  in  the  tubes  from  the 
presence  of  stones  in  the  kidneys,  but  when  this  latter  is  the  cause 
suspicion  may  be  aroused  by  the  evidence  of  great  pain  that  the 
horse  will  show;  at  the  same  time  it  is  important  to  confirm  such 
a  suspicion  by  a  watchful  oversight  and  examination  of  the  urine 
for  evidence  of  the  presence  of  stones,  which,  of  course,  can  be 
only  very  small.  For  the  suppuration  per  se,  and  in  the  absence 
of  foreign  substances,  Hepa)  sulphuris  3X  may  be  administered 
twice  daily;  but  should  there  be  unmistakable  evidence  of  the 
presence  of  stone,  Dr.  Hughes  recommends  Uva  ursi. 

Whenever  pain  is  very  marked  it  will  invariably  be  desirable  to 


DIABETES.  223 

endeavor  to  allay  this  b}'  topical  applications,  such  as  flannel 
wrung  out  in  hot  water,  laid  on  the  loins,  and  covered  with  oil 
cloth  and  externall}-  a  horse  rug  to  keep  up  a  state  of  warm  moist- 
ure to  the  parts;  this  may  be  renewed  whenever  the  pain  seems 
specially  marked;  the  feeding  should  be  of  the  light,  nutritious, 
easily  digestible  order,  and  the  drink  consist  of  linseed  gruel  and 
barley  water. 

If  the  horse  is  brought  down  low  in  condition  it  will  be  desirable 
to  give  him  China  0,  ten  drops,  night  and  morning  for  a  week; 
discontinue  same  for  a  week,  giving  one  intermediate  dose  of 
Sidpluir  3,  and  recommence  the  China  0  for  another  week  and  so 
on  till  condition  is  decidedly  improved. 

DIABETES. 

This  maladjMS,  without  doubt,  more  frequently  met  with  among 
Tiuman  than  veterinary  patients,  and  one  peculiar  feature  in  con- 
nection with  it  is,  that  whereas  tnere  are  two  distinct  manifesta- 
tions of  the  disease,  the  one  that  more  generally  appears  in  the 
human  subject,  is  of  rare  occurrence  in  the  horse;  while  that 
which  is  observed  among  equines  is  less  frequentl}'  noted  in  man. 
It  cannot  be  affirmed  that  diabetes  is  strictly  a  disease  of  the 
urinary  organs,  but  we  have  indicated  it  thereunder  because  its 
chief  manifestation,  so  far  as  human  observation  goes,  is  through 
this  channel. 

Diabetes  is  ascribed  by  some  to  dietetic  causes,  but  our  own 
-opinion  is  that  some  reasons,  other  than  these,  are  called  for  to 
account  for  its  development.  Already  we  have  referred  to  the 
fact  that  the  malady  assumes  two  distinct  forms  and  two  names 
are  accordingly  employed  to  designate  the  one  from  the  other, 
namely  diabetes  mellitus  in  which  traces  of  the  presence  of  sugar 
are  observable  and  diabetes  i?isipidus  which  is  by  no  means  of  un- 
common occurrence  among  equines;  to  the  con.sideration  of  this 
form  of  the  uialadj^  we  shall  mainly  confine  out  attention,  simply 
pointing  out  in  passing  that  if  the  specific  gravity  of  the  urine  at 
any  time  points  to  a  probability  that  sugar  is  present  the  doubt 
can  soon  be  set  at  rest  by  submitting  samples  of  the  water  for 
several  successive  da^^s  to  an  analytical  chemist,  and  in  the  event 
of  the  test  affirming  the  suspicion  three  times  out  of  four,  it  will 
be  fair  to  assume  that  a  case  of  diabetes  mellitus  has  to  be  contended 


224  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

with  when  no  better  remedy  than  Phosphoric  acid  ix  three  times 
a  day  can  be  administered;  meanwhile  all  food  that  contains  an 
excess  of  saccharine  constituents  should  be  avoided. 

Diabetes  insipidus  is  characterized  by  an  unusual  proportion  of 
watery  urine;  it  is  affirmed  by  some  that  the  usual  solid  elements 
of  the  urine  are  not  deficient,  but  that  the  watery  constituents  are 
so  much  in  excess  of  the  normal  that  it  appears  as  though  the 
solids  were  entirely  wanting;  the  late  Professor  Robertson  at- 
tributes the  cause  of  "insipid  urine"  to  disturbed  innervation, 
while  among  existing  influences,  he  considers  damaged  provender 
responsible  for  its  de\'elopment.  The  most  notable  case  that  has 
come  under  our  immediate  notice  and  care  was  that  of  a  horse 
worked  by  a  market  gardener  in  conveying  his  produce  from  house 
to  house  during  the  morning  half  of  the  day;  by  no  means  heavy 
work;  for  a  period  of  three  months  the  animal  had  been  gradually 
evincing  less  and  less  capacity  for  the  performance  of  his  com- 
paratively light  work;  he  lost  flesh  and  had  a  precarious  appetite, 
at  one  time  eating  voraciously,  at  another  refusing  the  most  dainty 
diet,  it  had  been  observed  that  he  drank  very  copiously  and  always 
appeared  to  be  ready  for  the  pail;  the  owner's  observation  had  not, 
however,  been  attracted  to  anything  peculiar  in  the  performance 
of  urination;  the  only  feature  of  the  case  to  which  our  special  at- 
tention was  drawn  was  that  presence  of  an  extraordinary  large 
number  of  nematoid  worms,  (Ascaris  megalocephala)  and  for  the 
eradication  of  these,  we  were  consulted;  usual  remedies  were  ad- 
ministered with  the  result  that  though  a  very  large  number  came 
away  whole  with  the  faeces,  while  others  came  away  in  bits, 
portions  of  which  had  been  evidently  digested  by  the  secretions  of 
the  large  intestines,  the  horse  was  no  better;  indeed,  the  emaciation 
was  more  pronounced;  we  therefore  urged  our  client  to  send  the 
animal  into  the  infirmary  which  he  reluctantly  consented  to;  the 
horse  had  only  been  under  our  immediate  care  a  few  hours  before 
we  discovered  what  was  at  all  events  partly  the  matter  with  him; 
the  box  in  which  he  was  placed  was  absolutely  flooded  out;  we 
afterwards  discovered  that  his  temperature  fluctuated  to  an  extra- 
ordinary degree  from  day  to  day,  between  99  degrees  and  104 
degrees;  this  led  us  to  suspect  something  more  than  diabetes;  we 
at  once  commenced  administering  Phosphoric  acid  i-\  but  as  the  re- 
sult was  not  satisfactory,  resorted  to  Scilla  ix;  this  latter  certainly 


CYSTITIvS.  225 

effected  a  marked  diminution  in  the  amount  of  urine  passed;  but  as 
the  post  mortem  proved  the  horse  was  the  subject  of  general  con- 
sumption (tuberculosis),  both  lungs  presenting  the  most  remark- 
able specimens  of  diffuse  miliary  tubercle  we  ever  saw,  and  all  the 
internal  organs  were  more  or  less  affected;  this,  therefore,  and 
not  the  diabetes,  was  the  cause  of  death;  but  it  is  deserving  of 
special  attention  that  notwithstanding  these  complications,  the 
remedy  administered  for  the  diabetes  was  able  to  exercise  the  de- 
sired effect  in  some  degree;  and  it  would  we  think,  justify  us  in 
the  conclusion  that  in  uncomplicated  diabetes  insipidus,  Scilla  is  a 
promising  medicine  The  symptoms  of  this  malady  are  greenish 
blue  color  of  the  visible  mucous  membranes;  faeces  constipated; 
temperature  rather  under  than  over  the  normal  98.5  degrees;  the 
skin  dry,  the  coat  harsh  and  staring;  pulse  soft  and  weak  gen- 
erally about  50;  urination  excessively  profuse  without  any  color- 
ing material  in  it;  thirst  specially  marked,  and  appetite  precarious 
and  changeable.  In  the  treatment  of  this  malady  there  is  one 
point  worthy  of  notice;  if,  as  is  the  case  sometimes,  there  is 
distinct  evidence  that  the  digestive  organs  are  at  fault  Muriate  of 
Ura7iiiim  3X  trituration  is  a  serviceable  remedy  and  preferable  to 
others  already  prescribed. 

CYSTITIS. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  URINARY  BLADDER. 

This  in  the  horse  is  of  rare  occurrence  as  a  natural  disease; 
when  it  does  arise  there  is  as  a  rule  some  extraneous  cause  to 
account  for  it,  such  as  the  irritation  which  the  presence  of  a  cal- 
culus (stone)  would  produce;  and  it  is  worth  while  to  make  a 
special  note  of  this  fact,  lest  the  symptoms  which  in  all  cases 
differ  but  little,  should  lead  anyone  to  attempt  a  cure  by  the 
internal  administration  of  drugs  when  a  stone  was  the  cause  of  the 
difficulty;  under  such  conditions  nothing  but  failure  and  disap- 
pointment would  accrue,  and  it  would  provide  the  enemy  (allo- 
paths') with  a  fine  opportunity  to  point  the  finger  of  scorn  at 
Homoeopathy  generally;  when  a  stone  is  present  in  the  bladder,  a 
fact  which  is  easily  confirmed  by  manipulation  of  the  organ  per 
rectum,  the  only  satisfactory  method  of  treatment  is  removal  by 


226  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

surgical  operation  at  the  hands  of  an  expert  veterinarian;  this  fact 
furnishes  no  reasonable  ground  for  the  enemy  to  revile,  because 
the  removal  of  a  foreign  body  does  not  come  within  the  range  of 
therapeutics  at  all  but  is  a  mechanical  operation  to  effect  which 
the  aid  of  surgery  must  be  invoked;  where,  however,  a  true  case 
of  cystitis  arises  which  does  not  result  from  the  irritation  of  such 
foreign  substances,  then  medicine  will  avail  as  successfully  as  in 
all  other  forms  of  disease  to  which  therapeutics  proper  are  applic- 
able. The  symptoms  are  in  many  respects  marvelously  like  those 
of  nephritis,  but  there  are  two  or  three  special  symptoms  which 
point  distinctly  to  the  bladder  as  the  affected  organ;  and  they  are 
as  follows:  A  continual  paddling  movement  with  the  hind  legs; 
an  irritable  swishing  of  the  tail;  and  a  more  or  less  constant 
dribbling  away  of  bloody  urine;  under  these  conditions  we  have 
found  Belladonna  3X  and  Cantharis  6x  administered  in  alterna- 
tion, a  dose  every  three  hours,  afford  marked  and  speedy  relief; 
in  cases  of  stone  after  removal  by  operative  surgery  Arnica  3X 
three  times  daily  should  be  administered,  as  this  serves  to  remove 
the  general  soreness  of  the  parts  and  facilitates  the  healing  pro- 
cess. 

lyike  nephritis  this  malady  may  be  caused  by  the  application  of 
a  topical  irritant  such  as  Cantharides,  under  these  circumstances 
a  few  doses  of  Camphor  spirits  on  moist  sugar  should  be  admin- 
istered. 

-  It  will  be  noted  under  the  chapter  headed  Colic  that  one  of  the 
conditions  then  frequently  affecting  horses  is  an  inability  to  pass 
water;  we  consider  that  this  is  due  to  a  paralyzed  condition  of  the 
muscular  walls  of  the  bladder,  either  from  colds  or  in  consequence 
of  the  horse  having  held  his  water  too  long,  under  such  circum- 
stances a  dose  of  Aconite  0  every  fifteen  minutes,  as  a  rule,  affords 
prompt  relief. 

There  is  further  a  condition  affecting  mares  wherein  an  inflam- 
matory state  of  the  organ  is  set  up,  namely,  inversion  of  the 
bladder;  the  first  and  most  important  procedure  is  to  reduce  the 
organ  to  its  proper  site,  an  operation  calling  for  the  experience  of 
a  trained  veterinarian;  but  after  the  operation  is  completed,  much 
benefit  will  follow  the  internal  administration  of  Aniica  3X  for 
several  days;    it  will  help  to  restore  tone  to  the  organ   itself^ 


AZOTURIA.  227 

together  with  its  supporting  ligaments,  and  so  facihtate  its  main- 
taining the  proper  position  in  the  body. 

As  we  have  referred  to  the  possible  presence  of  stone  in  the 
bladder  so  be  it  understood  we  may  not  infrequently  meet  with 
cases  where  gravel  accumulates  in  that  organ  and  evidence  of 
its  presence  is  made  known  when  a  horse  makes  water  on  a  flat 
slab  of  stone  or  some  other  smooth  substance  upon  which  the 
gravel  ca,n  rest  and  discover  itself  after  the  water  has  dried  up; 
under  such  circumstances  it  will  be  wise  and  most  probably  hinder 
the  development  of  future  complications  to  administer  a  dose  of 
Lycopodium  6x,  grains  fifteen,  night  and  morning  for  a  week, 
meanwhile  watching  the  effect;  if  the  gravelly  deposit  still  con- 
tinues, which  is  certainly  improbable,  a  course  of  Phosphoric  acid 
6x,  drops  ten  night  and  morning  should  be  tried.  Inasmuch  as 
gravel  sometimes  forms  in  the  kidneys  in  particles  of  such  size 
that  they  cannot  pass  away  without  causing  inten.se  pain  in  their 
passage  through  the  tubes,  presenting  symptoms  of  acute  colic  in 
the  horse,  it  is  desirable  to  mention  that  if  the  indications  point  to 
this  condition  Berberis  ix  is  the  remedy;  presuming  that  it  was 
already  known  that  a  horse  had  passed  .sandy  urine,  and  an  attack 
of  colick}^  pain  supervened,  characterized  by  short,  sharp,  oft- 
recurring  attacks  of  pain,  while  on  manipulating  the  loins  over 
the  region  of  the  kidneys,  one  side  evinced  considerable  tenderness, 
it  would  not  be  unreasonable  to  surmise  that  it  was  a  case  of  renal 
colic,  and  the  use  of  Berberis  would  be  justified,  although  the 
malady  cannot  be  considered  as  one  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the 
horse,  nor  is  it  one  that  often  presents  itself  in  any  animal;  hence 
the  desirability  of  not  forming  too  hasty  an  opinion  in  such  cases 
of  pain. 

AZOTURIA. 

We  have  experienced  some  difficulty  in  determining  to  our  own 
satisfaction  under  what  head  to  introduce  the  consideration  of  this 
malady;  inasmuch,  however,  as  its  chief  manifestation  is  observ- 
able from  the  characteristic  condition  of  the  urine,  and  that  post 
mortem  the  kidneys  betray  indications  of  certain  morbid  processes, 
it  has  been  determined  to  allocate  a  position  under  the  head  of 
urinary  diseases.  It  is  among  well-fed,  highly-conditioned  horses 
that  this  disease  usually  presents  itself,  whose  work  is  irregular. 


2  28  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY, 

smart  active  work  alternating  with  a  period  of  rest;  the  attack 
comes  on  -with  great  suddenness  and  severity,  and  an  animal 
which  one  hour  was  to  all  appearance  in  the  very  bloom  of  health 
is  in  the  next  a  pitiably  helpless  object.  The  first  indication  of 
the  malady  is  usually  inability  to  proceed  by  reason  of  muscular 
spasms  affecting  the  loins  and  thighs,  a  loss  of  control  over  the 
movements  of  the  hind  legs;  breaking  out  into  a  profuse  sweat, 
and  trembling  all  over;  the  posterior  extremities  soon  become 
unable  to  support  the  weight  of  the  body  and  the  animal  rolls 
over  on  its  side,  often  struggling  violently  when  down  with  a  very 
obvious  desire  to  regain  the  standing  position;  ultimately  the 
horse  wearies  of  these  futile  efforts  and  gives  himself  up  to  the 
necessity  of  the  case  and  thereafter  shows  a  firm  determination  to 
lie  down  quietly. 

Very  shortly  spasmodic  twitchings  of  the  large  muscles  of  the 
loins  and  thighs  supervene,  ultimately  these  same  muscles  become 
rounded,  hard  and  rigid,  and  seem  to  have  lost  all  power  of  con- 
traction. 

It  is,  as  a  rule,  necessary  to  draw  off  the  urine  with  the  catheter 
and  then  the  character  of  the  secretion  is  observed  to  be  of  a  deep 
coffee  color,  somewhat  more  dense  in  consistency  than  normal 
urine.  The  pulse  is  increased  in  frequency  generally  to  about  65 
or  70  beats  per  minute,  while  the  temperature  will  register  102 
degrees  or  thereabouts;  the  respirations  will  be  regulated  very  much 
by  the  state  of  calm  or  irritability  the  animal  has  exhibited  when 
the  attack  first  declared  itself.  In  case  the  horse  renews  the  strug- 
gle to  get  on  to  its  legs,  it  is  best  to  apply  the  slings  and  get  it 
properly  fixed  up  therein,  otherwise  it  may  speedily  exhaust  itself. 

Mares  are  considered  by  some  to  be  more  frequently  the  sub- 
jects of  this  malady  than  male  horses,  but  this  is  undoubtedly  a 
mistake,  for  all  our  cases  have  been  in  geldings,  and  Professor 
Robertson's  experience  seems  to  coincide  with  our  own  in  this 
respect  in  the  main. 

There  is  one  very  troublesome  complication  or  sequel  to  the 
disease  within  our  experience  that  does  not  appear,  so  far  as 
records  go,  to  have  fallen  to  the  lot  of  other  practitioners,  namely, 
LAMiNiTis,  or  inflammation  of  the  sensitive  laminae  of  the  feet, 
those  of  the  forelegs  in  particular,  and  in  one  case  notwithstand- 
ing the  most  careful  treatment  this  condition  proceeded  to  ex- 


OCCASIONAL    DISEASES    OF   URINARY   ORGANS.  229 

tremes,  the  pedal  bones  protruding  through  the  soles;  whether 
the  long  period  of  standing  in  the  slings  was  the  main  cause  of 
this  we  cannot  say,  but  under  the  circumstances  we  should,  after 
this  experience,  be  disposed  to  advise  allowing  a  patient  to  retain 
the  recumbent  position  if  it  would  do  so  quietly,  satisfying  our- 
selves with  moving  it  over  from  side  to  side  once  in  twelve  hours, 
and  using  an  abundance  of  soft  straw  to  support  the  body,  draw- 
ing off  the  urine  with  the  catheter  ever)^  four  hours,  administering 
an  abundance  of  demulcent  drink  such  as  linseed  gruel  and  barley 
water  to  wash  out  the  urinary  tubes  and  the  bladder. 

The  medicine  we  should  first  rely  upon  would  be  Causticum  ix, 
repeating  the  usual  dose  every  three  hours  during  the  daytime, 
and  if  this  only  succeeds  in  restoring  the  urine  to  its  natural  color 
and  consistence,  the  muscular  rigidity  will  soon  relax  and  a  good 
cure  may  be  anticipated;  but  as  a  rule  these  are  by  no  means 
promising  cases.  The  faeces  generally  show  a  tendency  to  con- 
stipation, but  should  there  be  any  disposition  to  diarrhoea  com- 
bined with  a  high  specific  gravity  of  the  urine  Senna  H  will  be 
found  an  efficacious  remedy ;  we  have  tested  both  these  agents  at 
one  time  or  another  and  each  in  turn  has  seemed  to  render  satis- 
factory results.  Friction  with  Arnica  lijiiment  over  the  rigid 
muscles  will  sometimes  afford  ease  to  the  patient;  at  all  times  the 
body  should  be  kept  warm  with  clothing  to  induce  gentle  exhala- 
tion through  the  skin,  and  the  food  must  be  light  so  as  to  avoid 
the  risk  attendant  at  such  times  upon  overloading  the  digestive 
organs. 

OCCASIONAL  DISEASES  OF  URINARY  ORGANS. 

There  are  several  forms  of  disease  which  assume  more  of  the 
surgical  aspect  than  the  therapeutical,  at  all  events  in  ordinary 
practice,  and  their  introduction  here  is  more  to  prove  that  they  are 
not  overlooked  than  in  the  hope  that  much  advantage  will  accrue 
upon  their  consideration;  still  as  cases  of  extreme  urgency  may 
arise  it  is  deemed  better  in  the  interest  of  the  reader  to  lightly 
touch  upon  them  with  a  view  to  amelioration  of  suffering  should 
they  arise  under  such  circumstances.  Those  morbid  conditions 
w^hich  it  is  proposed  to  refer  to  will  be  found  only  in  the  male  and 
the  first  is  inflammation  of  the  urethra;    this  is  the  channel 


230  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

which  conveys  the  urine  through  the  penis  from  the  bladder  and 
also  the  semen  from  the  testicles  in  the  act  of  copulation. 

Inflammation  of  the  urethra  may  be  of  the  simple,  benign  form^ 
or,  as  in  the  human  subject,  it  may  also  assume  the  contagious 
character  of  a  gonorrhcea,  the  latter,  however,  is  very  rare  in 
the  stallion ;  still  there  has  been  sufficient  evidence  forthcoming  to 
warrant  the  assertion  that  it  may  exist;  the  symptoms  are  those 
common  to  this  form  of  disease;  matter  forms  and  exudes  at  the 
end  of  the  penis;  and  if  the  sheath  of  the  penis  is  full  and  well 
developed  an  accumulation  of  the  discharge  will  be  found  in  that 
part  of  the  organ,  irritating  the  surrounding  parts  and  producing 
considerable  swelling  thereof;  the  animal  experiences  distinct  pain 
and  difficulty  in  passing  water  and  evinces  a  frequent  desire  to 
perform  the  act. 

The  treatment  is  simple  and  effective;  whether  the  discharge  is 
benign  or  contagious  it  is  similar;  the  parts  should  be  carefully 
washed  with  warm  water  medicated  with  a  small  quantit}^  of 
Condy's  fluid;  and  Merciirius  corrosivus  2x,  grains  three  to  a  dose, 
dissolved  in  a  wineglassful  of  water,  administered  internally  three 
times  a  day. 

Phimosis  is  a  condition,  affecting  geldings  generall}',  in  which 
the  penis  cannot  be  drawn  out  in  consequence  of  the  undue  con- 
traction of  the  sheath;  it  is  said  to  be  caused  by  external  violence, 
and  it  may  also  arise  after  castration,  or  when  the  sheath  has 
become  excessively  swollen  during  an  illness  and  for  lack  of  suffi- 
cient exercise;  in  attempting  treatment  much  depends  upon  the 
cause;  probably  the  best  thing  to  do  in  a  case  of  emergency  would 
be  to  apply  frequent  fomentations  of  hot  water  together  with 
hand  friction  and  the  rubbing  into  the  parts  oi  Arnica  lotion  1-6; 
but  if  at  all  available  the  services  of  a  qualified  veterinary  surgeon 
should  be  called  into  requisition. 

Paraphimosis  is  the  antithesis  of  the  former,  in  this  case  the 
penis  is  protruded  beyond  the  sheath  and  cannot  be  withdrawn; 
the  organ  or  that  part  of  it  which  is  so  unnaturally  exposed  be- 
comes immensely  swollen;  inflammation  is  speedily  set  up  and 
the  pain  is  evidently  extreme;  in  consequence  of  the  swollen  con- 
dition of  the  penis,  the  sheath  becomes  tightly  constricted,  the 
circulation  is  interfered  wdth,  and  the  exposed  portion  becomes 
cold.    If  the  condition  is  due  to  a  paralysis  of  the  organ,  the  pros- 


OCCASIONAL   DISEASES   OF    URINARY    ORGANS.  231 

pect  of  restoring  its  pristine  vigor  is  by  no  means  promising,  but 
the  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  relax  the  constricted  state  of  the 
sheath,  and  this  in  the  majority  of  instances  calls  for  operative 
surgery;  if  this  is  not  available  an  effort  must  be  made  to  reduce 
the  engorgment  with  hot  fomentations  and  friction;  at  the  same 
time  the  penis  should  be  supported  with  a  broad  piece  of  calico 
fastened  round  the  body  in  such  a  manner  as  to  comfortably  sus- 
pend the  injured  organ  therein,  and  if  the  constricted  sheath  be- 
comes still  tighter,  relief  may  be  afforded  by  effecting  three  or 
four  incisions  about  half  an  inch  deep  with  a  sharp  pair  of  scissors; 
this  will  have  the  effect  of  relieving  the  excessive  turgescence  of 
the  parts,  free  haemorrhage  for  a  short  time  will  probably  conduce 
to  the  desired  result;  but  should  this  continue  too  long  then  a 
stream  of  cold  water  should  be  allowed  to  play  upon  the  parts 
until  the  bleeding  stops;  when  the  swelling  subsides  the  exposed 
part  of  the  penis  should  be  well  lubricated  with  carbolized  sweet 
oil  and  an  attempt  made  to  return  the  organ  within  the  sheath; 
the  incisions  made  into  that  part  should  be  carefully  brought  to- 
gether and  retained  in  position  with  a  silken  suture  and  thereafter 
a  lotion  1-6  of  Calendula  (■>  applied  two  or  three  times  a  day  until 
the  healing  is  complete;  if,  however,  a  veterinary  surgeon  can  b}' 
any  means  be  secured  it  is  distinctl}^  advisable  to  incur  au)^ 
reasonable  trouble  to  obtain  his  services  under  such  circumstances, 
for  the  case  may  prove  so  hopeless  as  to  necessitate  the  amputa- 
tion of  a  portion  of  the  penis,  to  determine  which  a  professional 
opinion  would  be  absolutely  called  for. 

Orchitis  or  inflammation  of  the  testicles  is  a  disease  little 
likely  to  affect  a  horse  unless  it  be  due  to  injury  during  an  attempt 
at  copulation;  there  is  nevertheless  the  bare  possibility  of  its  ex- 
istence from  cold  or  undue  exposure  after  being  accustomed  to 
warm  surroundings;  under  such  circumstances  the  swelling  of  the 
parts,  which  would  also  be  ver}^  tender,  would  be  attended  by 
constitutional  and  febrile  symptoms;  the  temperature  would  be 
exalted  and  the  pulse  more  than  usually  rapid;  the  animal  would 
be  off  his  feed  and  generally  give  expression  to  feelings  of  malaise; 
under  these  circumstances  a  few  preliminary  doses  of  Aconite  3X 
should  be  followed  by  Pulsatilla  ix  three  times  a  da}'.  If  the 
horse  has  suffered  from  a  blow  and  the  testicles  are  contused 
thereby,   the  parts   will    require    frequent    fomenting  with    hot 


232  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

water  medicated  with  a  few  drops  of   Arnica  0,  and  Arnica   3X 
should  be  internally  administered  three  or  four  times  dail)-. 

Satyriasis.— We  use  this  term  to  convey  the  idea  of  excessive 
sexual  excitement  in  the  stallion;  several  cases  have  come  under 
our  notice  of  valuable  thoroughbred  horses  which  seemed  to  have 
developed  a  habit  of  self-abuse  by  continuously  whacking  the 
penis  up  against  the  abdomen  until  the  excitement  of  the  proceed- 
ing caused  an  emission  of  semen;  unfortunately  we  were  not  pro- 
fessionally consulted  in  either  of  the  instances  referred  to,  and 
consequently  cannot  speak  practically  as  to  a  cure;  we  see  no 
reason  however  to  doubt  the  possibility  of  such  an  occurrence, 
had  the  opportunity  been  placed  at  disposal  and  among  the  reme- 
dies that  promise  success  under  such  conditions  are  Phosphorus, 
Nux  vomica  and  Plati7ia. 

Impotence  in  the  stallion  we  believe  to  be  exceedingly  rare, 
but  that  it  may  and  does  occasionally  arise  especially  in  the  case 
of  horses  whose  services  are  in  great  public  demand  there  is  no 
doubt,  but  our  firm  belief  is  that  in  the  majority  of  cases  where  a 
mare  proves  barren  the  fault  is  on  her  side  and  not  the  horse's. 

First,  then,  impotence  may  be  due  to  an  excessive  demand  upon 
the  sexual  functions.  Under  such  circumstances  it  is  of  the  first  im- 
portance that  the  stallion  should  enjoy  absolute  rest  for  some 
months,  during  which  time  Phosphoric  acid  &  should  be  given 
twice  a  day  and  food  rich  in  phosphates  provided. 

Second,  the  demand  on  the  sexual  powers  of  the  horse  may 
have  been  sufficient  to  produce  atrophy  or  wasting  of  the  testicles; 
this  condition  is  still  more  serious;  for  such  a  state  of  affairs 
Coniuvi  and  Baryta  carbonica  are  recommended,  but  we  cannot 
speak  from  experience  as  to  the  value  of  these  remedies. 


PARTURITION. 


BEFORE,  DURING  AND  AFTER  THE  ACT. 

.  But  for  the  fact  that  there  are  inckided  in  the  Homoeopathic 
Pharmacopoeia  so  many  drugs  which  are  entirel}'  ignored  or  un- 
acknowledged by  the  allopathist,  whose  special  function  seems  to 
be  to  afford  aid  to  the  female  during  the  periods  of  gestation  and 
parturition  (bearing  and  delivery),  it  would  be  absolutely  useless 
to  attempt  to  compress  into  the  pages  of  this  book  anything  re- 
garding this  unusually  wide  subject  that  would  be  likely  to  be  of 
the  slightest  use.  Dr.  Fleming  in  his  text  book  on  ' '  Veterinary 
Obstetrics"  has  filled  up  over  750  pages,  and  Dr.  Guernsey  in 
his  valuable  book  on  Htunan  Obstetrics  occupies  close  on  1000 
pages  in  dealing  with  this  all-important  subject;  it  may,  there- 
fore, be  asked  what  useful  purpose  can  be  served  by  attempting 
to  present  to  laymen  a  few  scattered  thoughts,  when  the  proper 
consideration  of  the  subject  by  these  two  learned  practitioners  has 
occupied  so  much  space.  Well,  our  reply  to  such  a  critic,  if  such 
a  one  there  be,  is  that  a  few  crumbs  to  the  starving  are  better 
than  no  food,  and  the  few  suggestions  on  this  vitally  important 
topic  which  can  be  compressed  herein  will,  it  is  hoped,  prove 
better  than  allowing  breeders  of  horses  to  find  nothing  in  this 
work  regarding  the  subject  which  affects  them  from  a  financial 
standpoint  in  so  marked  a  manner.  Had  we  nothing  more  hy  way 
of  assistance  at  so  critical  a  juncture  than  the  allopathist  can  offer, 
we  would  feign  let  the  subject  pass,  but  as  we  can  make  sugges- 
tions for  the  comfort  and  safety  of  the  ' '  in-foal  mare ' '  before 
time  of  deliver}^  and  further,  can  assist  nature  during  the  act  of 
delivery,  and,  further  still,  help  to  restore  nature  to  her  normal 
equilibrium  after  the  same  has  been  upset  di\ring  the  period  of 
'  '/oal  birth  ' '  there  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  we  are  war- 
ranted in  the  endeavor  to  place  before  those  who  are  otherwise 
helpless  a  few  leading  suggestions  for  their  adoption,  and  if  the 

233 


234  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

experience  of  the  past  stands  for  anything,  these  suggestions  will 
be  found  worthy  of  careful  consideration. 

It  is  well  known  to  all  practical  breeders  that  in  the  mare,  as 
in  all  other  animals,  but  probably  in  the  mare  more  than  any 
other,  the  foetus  during  its  development  and  growth  in  the  uterus 
(womb)  assumes  all  sorts  of  positions,  some  of  which  are  normal 
and  favorable  to  spontaneous  and  unaided  birth,  and  many  others 
which  are  abnormal  and  decidedly  unfavorable  to  birth  wnthout 
the  intervention  of  the  surgeon;  these  positions  are  described  as 
^^presentations''  according  as  the  head,  fore  feet,  hind  feet,' 
croup,  etc. ,  first  presents  itself  to  the  hand  of  the  exploring  sur- 
geon; the  variety  of  these  presentations  is  very  numerous,  and 
while  the  tissues  of  the  womb,  and  the  canal  through  which  the 
foetus  has  to  pass  during  the  act  of  being  born,  are  extremely 
mobile  and  elastic,  so  much  so  that  foetuses  in  all  sorts  of  abnor- 
mal positions  have  been  brought  into  the  world  with  more  or  less 
surgical  force,  there  is  a  limit  to  the  extent  to  which  the  parts 
will  relax  and  for  the  good  both  of  the  mother  and  her  offspring, 
it  is  of  the  first  importance  that  this — under  the  most  favorable 
circumstances — painful  fulfillment  of  nature's  demands  should  be 
carried  out  under  the  most  favorable  conditions,  and  although  the 
allopathist,  the  orthodox  practitioner  as  he  delights  to  call  him- 
self, has  not,  with  all  his  vaunted  boasting,  discovered  anything 
to  alleviate  nature's  pain  at  this  critical  period  save  the  anaesthetic 
Chloroform,  the  much  maligned  homceopathist  has  found  out  that 
Pulsatilla  is  an  agent  in  drug  form  capable  not  only  of  preparing 
the  womb  for  the  fulfillment  of  its  natural  functions  under  favor- 
able and  comparatively  easy  conditions,  but  that  this  valuable 
plant  is  capable  of  so  influencing  the  maternal  organs  that  in  the 
event  of  a  FALSE  or  complicated  PRESEXTATioisr  the  foetus  will, 
under  its  influence,  right  itself  sufficiently  to  be  born  without  ex- 
traneous or  surgical  aid,  and  that  without  producing  a  permanent 
displacement  of  the  womb  w'hich,  in  some  instances,  is  the  result 
of  the  rough  usage  and  the  violent  methods  resorted  to  when  diffi- 
cult presentations  occur.  It  may  not  be  generally  known  to 
breeders,  but  it  is  a  point  they  ought  to  be  made  aware  of  and  to 
which  they  should  give  serious  consideration,  that  operative  ob- 
stetric surgery  of  the  very  crude  and  rough  description  to  which  so 
many  mares  are  subjected,  is  responsible  in  quite  a  considerable 


PARTURITION.  235 

number  of  cases  for  permanent  displacemext  of  the  womb,  and 
the  subsequent  barrenness  of  valuable  brood  mares;  the  fact  that 
so  many  mares  miss  being  in  foal  after  a  satisfactory  service,  is  too 
frequently  attributed  to  the  sterilitj^  or  incapacity  of  the  stallion, 
while  the  really  responsible  cause  is  that  the  womb  of  the  mare 
through  the  violent  measures  adopted  at  her  previous  parturition 
(delivery)  is  displaced,  and  the  os  (or  mouth)  of  the  womb 
instead  of  being  in  a  direct  line  with  the  genital  canal  is  drawn  on 
one  side  or  the  other  so  that  the  semen,  when  discharged  in  the 
act  of  copulation,  cannot  enter  the  womb  but  ultimately  finds  its 
way  on  to  the  floor  of  the  canal,  thereafter  to  be  washed  awa}'  on 
the  first  act  of  urination;  and,  of  course,  the  mare  proves  not  to 
^be  in  foal  and  is  a  bitter  disappointment  to  her  owner;  to  render 
the  act  of  parturition  a  normal  and  spontaneous  one  is  of  the  first 
consequence  to  the  breeder  of  horses,  and  to  dispense  with  mechani- 
cal interference,  especially  the  rough  and  tumble  sort  of  work  so 
often  attempted  by  ignornant  quacks  and  inexperienced,  though 
well-intentioned  stablemen,  is  no  less  important;  the  author  does 
not  wish  it  to  be  understood  that  obstetric  surgery  can  alwaj's  be 
dispensed  with;  there  must  of  necessity  be  cases  in  which  the 
presentations  are  so  complicated  and  peculiar,  either  by  reason  of 
the  distorted  shape  of  the  fcetus  or  its  excessive  size,  that  nothing 
short  of  mechanical  aid  will  effect  delivery;  but  these  cases  should 
and  might  be  much  more  rare  than  they  are,  and  when  mechani- 
cal aid  is  absolutely  required  it  should  be  entrusted  only  to  a 
skillful  and  experienced  obstetric  veterinary  surgeon;  indeed,  we 
go  so  far  as  to  state  that  an  unqualified  man  who  attempts  to 
deliver  a  parturient  animal  should  be  amenable  to  the  law  for 
cruelty,  as  in  so  many  cases  is  the  attempt  made  by  those  who 
are  absolutely  ignorant  of  the  anatomy  of  the  animal. 

B}^  wa}^  of  preparation  for  a  safe  and  comparatively  easy  deliv- 
ery the  owner  should  see  to  it  that  the  in-foal  mare  has  ten  drops 
of  tincture  of  Pulsatilla  ix  in  a  wineglass  of  water  night  and 
morning  regularly  for  a  month  before  the  date  she  is  due  to  foal 
on;  and  this  should  be  given  half  an  hour  before  both  feeding  and 
watering. 

Space  will  not  permit  of  dealing  with  the  science  of  breeding 
nor  of  doing  anything  beyond  offering  a  few  suggestions  as  to 
treatment  in  cases  of  emergency;  therefore  it  must  be  assumed 


236  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY, 

that  the  owner  has  made  satisfactory  and  suitable  provision  for 
the  comfort,  general  well-being  and  health  of  the  mare,  and  that 
the  due  date  of  foaling  has  arrived;  under  the  influence  of  Pulsa- 
tilla administered  as  hereinbefore  explained,  the  mare  will  prob- 
ably experience  a  spontaneous  and  normal  delivery;  but  ther& 
may  arise  difficulties,  which  are  amenable  to  the  influence  of 
drugs  and  w^hich  drugs  will  obviate  without  mechanical  interfer- 
ence, concerning  which  some  helpful  suggestions  may  be  offered. 
A  contracted,  hard,  rigid  condition  of  the  OS  uteri  (mouth  of  the 
womb)  arises,  and  this  quite  independent  of  cancerous  grov/ths, 
termed  cauliflower  excrescences,  which  are  sometimes  the  cause 
of  this  rigid  condition ;  when  this  is  the  case  it  can  of  course  only 
be  positively  recognized  by  manual  exploration  which  should  be 
carefully  and  gently  attempted  when  delivery  is  delayed  or  the* 
mare  has  made  many  ineffectual  efforts  to  discharge  the  foetus; 
before  making  the  examination  the  person  who  undertakes  the 
responsibility  must  strip  off  his  clothes  even  to  the  shirt,  wash  his 
hands  and  arms  carefully  w'ith  warm  water,  and  then  dress  the 
arm  that  he  is  going  to  use  in  the  examination  with  carbolized  oil; 
this  serves  to  facilitate  the  easy  introduction  of  the  arm  into  the 
vaginal  canal  and  to  prevent  septic  infection;  if  the  os  is  found  to 
be  closed  and  very  hard  try  the  administration  of  tincture  of 
Ca,ulophyllum  0  ten  drops  every  hour  for  three  doses,  after  which 
at  the  expiration  of  twelve  hours  from  the  first  dose  if  the  os  is 
not  dilated  and  the  delivery  effected  professional  aid  should  be 
obtained,  but  as  a  rule  this  drug  removes  the  functional  disturb- 
ance which  caused  the  rigidity,  the  os  relaxes  and  dilates  and 
labor  proceeds  to  a  satisfactory  termination.  Another  cause 
which  sometimes  accounts  for  delay  in  delivery  is  due  to  lack  of 
nerve  power  in  the  walls  of  the  womb,  resulting  in  very  spasmodic 
and  irregular  contraction  in  which  case,  if  the  mare  seems  to  ex- 
perience very  violent  pains  while  they  last,  and  she  gets  irritable 
and  probably  neighs  spitefully  Chamomilla  3X,  ten  drops  to  a  dose 
every  hour  will  be  most  suitable.  In  cases  where  no  progress 
seems  to  be  made  and  the  mare  bursts  out  into  cold  sweats  especi- 
ally about  the  neck  and  shoulders  and  every  pain  appears  to 
exhaust  her  more  and  more  Vcratrum  album  3X  in  the  usual  dose 
to  be  given  every  half  hour  until  the  cold  sweats  cease. 

When  the  pulse  is  very  w^eak,  the  body  externally  cold  to  the 


SOME    ACCIDEXTS    INCIDENTAL   TO    PARTURITION.  237 

touch  and  drj^,  the  mare  extremely  restless  though  apparently 
experiencing  no  real  labor  pains,  give  Camphor  30  every  quarter 
of  an  hour,  this  will  probably  revive  the  natural  heat  and  bring 
on  the  proper  labor  pains. 

Should  the  vaginal  canal  be  very  drj^  and  devoid  of  the  natural 
lubricating  fluids,  and  these  parts  with  the  os  uteri  are  unbearably 
tender  to  pressure,  the  mare  at  the  same  time  evincing  great  rest- 
lessness, groaning  to  herself  in  a  sort  of  undertone,  lying  down 
with  great  care  but  almost  immediately  getting  up  again,  tincture 
oi  Aconite  ix  ten  drops  every  half  hour  until  more  calm  and  the 
fluids  of  the  vaginal  canal  begin  to  exude. 

Again  tliis  dryness  and  tenderness  of  the  vagina  and  os  uteri 
xn?Ly  be  present  and  the  mare  show  signs  of  violence  and  knocking 
herself  about  when  the  labor  pains  come  on;  the  whites  of  the 
eyes  and  the  membrane  lining  the  nose  and  mouth  of  a  bright 
Vermillion  color;  the  pains  come  on  very  quickly,  last  but  a  short 
time  and  pass  off  as  quickly;  indeed  there  is  every  indication  of 
the  general  system  being  as  it  were  in  a  tumult,  then  give  Bella- 
do7i7ia  3x  once  an  hour  until  the  excitement  has  calmed  down. 

SOME  ACCIDENTS  INCIDENTAL  TO   PARTURITION, 

RETENTION  OF  THE  FCETAL  MEMBRANES 

OR  AFTER-BIRTH. 

.  This  is  b}^  no  means  an  infrequent  condition  and  calls  for 
prompt  treatment,  as  the  consequences  may  and  indeed  do  fre- 
quently prove  serious  and  sometimes  fatal;  particularly  is  this  the 
case  when  the  retained  membranes  commence  to  decompose;  as  a 
rule  there  is  not  much  difficulty  in  determining  whether  the  after- 
birth has  come  away  because  when  retained  either  a  portion  of  the 
umbilical  cord  or  a  mass  of  the  membranes  generally  protrude 
from  the  vulva  and  hang  down  sometimes  as  low  the  hocks;  in 
cases,  however,  where  the  membranes  are  enclosed  in  the  womb 
other  indications  have  to  be  relied  upon  to  determine  their 
presence;  among  these  are  the  following:  The  mare  will  rest  full 
upon  her  belly  with  knees  and  hocks  well  under,  occasionally- 
straining,  when  the  lips  of  the  vulva  will  open  and  verj^  frequently 
the  mouth  of  the  womb  will  be  observed  nearing  the  orifice  each 
time  she  strains;  at  other  times  the  mare  will  stand  up  and  stamp 
first  one  foot  and  then  the  other  at  the  same  time  angrily  whisk- 


238  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

ing  her  tail,  when  all  of  a  sudden  she  will  posture  herself  as 
though  about  to  micturate.  If  decomposition  has  set  up,  a  dark- 
colored,  sometimes  bloody  fluid  discharge  will  continuously  ooze 
away  from  the  vagina,  the  stench  from  which  is  simply  abominable; 
the  discharge  will  at  times  come  away  in  rushes  accompanied  by 
small  broken  up  pieces  of  membrane  when  the  mare  strains  in 
the  standing  position  or  passes  water  or  dung;  the  period  during 
which  the  after-birth  may  be  retained  varies  considerably,  we  have 
known  it  go  as  long  as  nine  days  and  then  be  spontaneously 
voided,  but  this  is  an  undesirably  long  period.  As  a  rule  the 
membranes  are  voided  spontaneously,  but  cases  do  occur  where 
they  have  to  be  removed  artificially;  under  homoeopathic  treat- 
ment this,  however,  is  extremely  seldom.  Breeders  of  horses 
should  be  aware  that  while  in  cows  retention  of  after-birth  is  rarely 
of  much  consequence,  in  the  mare  it  is  of  first  i^mportance  to  be 
well  assured  that  the  membranes  are  expelled. 

When  a  mare  has  been  regularly  having  Pulsatilla  as  hereinbe- 
fore directed,  it  is  a  rare  thing  to  find  that  the  after-birth  is  re- 
tained; if,  however,  she  should  not  have  previously  been  taking 
this  remedy,  then  Pulsatilla  3X,  ten  drops  every  four  hours,  will 
generally  do  the  trick;  if  the  mare  has  been  under  the  preliminary 
Pulsatilla  treatment  and  retains  the  placental  membranes,  then 
twenty-four  hours  after  the  birth  of  the  foal  commence  giving 
Secale  cornutum  3X,  a  dose  every  four  hours;  ■  this  remedy  is 
specially  useful  after  protracted  labor,  and  when  the  discharged 
blood  is  of  a  dark  color  and  smells  badl}-. 

POST-PARTUM  HEMORRHAGE,  OR  FLOODING  AFTER 
BIRTH  OF  FOAIv  OR  ABORTION 

Is,  in  our  experience,  a  very  exceptional  occurrence;  still  should 
it  take  place  in  a  valuable  brood  blood  mare — probably  the  most 
likely  sort  of  animal  in  the  world  to  be  the  subject  of  such  a  cas- 
ualty— it  is  necessary  to  be  armed  with  means  for  arresting  a  con- 
dition which  must  otherwise  prove  exceedingly  debilitating  to  the 
general  constitution  if  not  absolutely  fatal;  flooding  may  com- 
mence either  before  or  after  the  delivery  of  the  after-birth. 

The  following  remedies,  with  their  indications,  may  be  relied 
upon  under  the  conditions  specified: 

Aconite  3X. — Mares  of  excitable,  restless  temperament,  in  high 


*>OST-PARTUM    HEMORRHAGE.  239 

condition,  with  a  profuse  flow  of  ordinary-colored  blood;  frequently 
lying  down  and  getting  up,  and  when  on  their  legs  totter  up 
against  the  side  of  the  stall  or  box,  as  though  giddy. 

Belladonna  7x. — Extremely  excitable,  amounting  to  irritability, 
pulsation  of  the  carotid  arteries  distinctly  perceptible  to  the  touch; 
a  wild,  bounding  pulse;  the  discharge  of  the  blood  is  very  prof  use 
and  the  color  extremely  bright,  and  very  unusually  hot  to  the 
feel;  tL'd  whites  of  the  eyes  wall  be  streaked  with  bright-red  lines, 
and  th'if  pupils  distinctly  dilated;  the  mare  strains,  and  in  so  doing 
presse.=5  out  the  walls  of  the  vagina,  which  appear  also  of  a  bright- 
red  color. 

Crocus  2x. — Very  useful  when  the  blood  is  of  a  dark  color  and 
comes  away  in  long  strings  or  stringy  clots. 

Hamamelis  6  w'hen  the  flow  of  dark-colored  venous  blood  is 
slow  and  constant. 

Ipecacuanha^  3X  trituration,  10  grains  to  a  dose.  The  flow  of 
bright-red  blood  is  full  and  constant;  this  may  be  attended  with  an 
effort  to  vomit,  although  it  is  a  recognized  fact  that  horses  rarely  do 
vomit,  and  w^hen  they  do,  the  ejecta  pass  through  the  nostrils  and 
not  the  mouth,  in  consequence  of  a  veil  of  mucous  membrane 
which  lies  at  the  back  of  the  mouth  and  at  the  entry  to  thecavit}' 
known  as  the  pharynx.  Nevertheless,  cases  have  been  known  of 
horses  vomiting,  and  hence  the  symptom,  if  present,  should  be 
noted,  as  it  is  an  important  indication  for  the  selection  of  this  drug 
in  conjunction  with  the  other  symptoms  specified. 

Sabina  2x  is  a  very  important  remedy  in  cases  of  haemorrhage 
after  delivery;  its  indications  are  blood  dark  in  color;  comes  awaj^ 
in  black  clots,  which  float  in  a  thin,  watery-sort-of-colored  fluid; 
the  discharge  is  not  constant  and  regular,  but  it  comes  away  in 
spurts  as  the  mare  strains  when  the  after-pains  come  on. 

Secale  cornutiun  2x. — Blood  of  a  dark  color  and  smells  badly; 
the  flow  is  constant  but  slow;  mare  apparently  very  weak,  and 
takes  little  or  no  notice  of  what  is  going  on  around  her;  the  bleed- 
ing is  accompanied  by  very  frequent  after-pains,  but  these  do  not 
appear  to  affect  the  flow  in  any  marked  degree;  the  mare's  exter- 
nal body  temperature  is  low,  and- the  expression  of  the  counte- 
nance gives  the  impression  that  she  is  in  constant  pain. 

Among  the  accidents  which  occasionally  result  from  parturition 
are  inversion   (or  turning  inside  out)   of  the  womb  and    the 


240  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

vagina;  these  do  not  occur  so  frequently  in  the  mare  as  in  the 
cow,  but  sufficiently  often  to  necessitate  passing  reference  here;  in- 
version of  the  bladder  occasionally  occurs  at  these  times,  and 
sometimes  before  parturition,  and  in  the  mare  more  often  proba- 
bly than  any  other  of  the  domestic  animals;  it  is  therefore  most 
desirable  to  be  on  guard  at  such  times  not  to  mistake  one  organ 
for  another;  in  such  cases  as  these  it  is  of  the  first  importance  to 
secure  the  services  of  a  trained  veterinarian,  as  without  doubt 
surgical  methods  take  the  first  place  here,  and  the  administration 
of  drugs  can  onl}-  be  secondary  thereto;  the  first  step  is  to  effect 
reposition  of  the  organ  and  then  to  take  the  necessary  measures 
for  keeping  it  in  situ;  this  being  satisfactorily  effected  the  most 
useful  remedy  that  can  be  selected  to  assist  in  rendering  the 
surgical  operation  a  complete  success  is  tincture  of  Arnica  3X,  a 
dose  every  hour  for  some  time;  should  this  not  afford  the  neces- 
sary relief  so  far  as  the  constitutional  s^'mptoms  are  concerned, 
one  of  the  remedies  referred  to  under  the  headings  Retention  of 
After-birth  and  Flooding  may  be  tried  according  to  the  special 
symptoms  indicated  thereunder. 

DISEASED  CONDITIONS  INCIDENTAL  TO 
PARTURITION. 

Some  of  the  diseases  incidental  to  foal-bearing  in  the  mare  have 
such  a  distinct  bearing  and  influence  upon  the  production  of  those 
two  bugbears  of  the  horse  breeder,  abortion  and  barrenness, 
that,  if  for  no  other  reason,  it  is  most  important  to  refer  to  them 
as  fully  as  possible  in  order  to  show  how  such  evil  and  peculiarly 
disastrous  consequences  may  be  avoided  or  at  least  materially 
lessened;  the  period  of  gestation  in  the  mare  is  so  long  and  the 
accidents  incidental  to  pregnancy  so  numerous  that  as  a  matter  of 
profit  and  loss,  it  becomes  the  horse  breeder  to  exercise  every 
available  precaution  so  as  to  minimize  the  risks  he  has  to  contend 
with  in  this  important  branch  of  business;  and  especially  does  it 
behoove  the  breeders  of  high-class  horses  to  do  this,  inasmuch  as. 
the  better  bred  the  animal  is  the  more  likely  is  she  to  fall  a  victim. 


VAGINITIS.  241 

VAGINITIS,  INFLAMMATION  OF   THE   LINING    MEM- 
BRANE OF  THE  VAGINA. 

This  form  of  infiammatiou  may  exist  independently  of  the 
adjacent  parts,  but  in  the  mare  it  is  one  of  rare  occurrence;  and 
even  assuming  that  for  any  period  it  has  affected  that  part  of  the 
genital  canal  only,  it  speedih"  extends  to  the  OS  of  the  womb  and 
the  internal  lining  membrane  of  that  organ;  when  the  origin  of 
the  inflammation  is  the  vagina  it  usually  arises  as  the  result  of 
protracted  labor  or  the  irritation  set  up  by  the  use  of  instruments 
and  ropes  in  effecting  delivery  mechanicallj^;  the  more  general 
seat  of  origin  of  this  inflammatory  condition  is  the  womb  when 
endo-metrifis  or  inflammation  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  womb 
is  present  and  extends  therefrom  to  the  vagina;  a  still  more  serious 
condition  is  that  of  metritis  which  includes  an  inflammation  of  the 
tissues  of  the  walls  of  the  womb  as  well  as  the  lining  membrane; 
this  latter  condition  will  be  considered  specially  further  on,  as  its 
consequences  ma}^  be  immediately  serious;  the  more  simple  forms 
of  inflammation,  vaginitis  and  endo-metrilis,  are  in  themselves 
important  and  deserve  notice,  as  their  existence  usually  results  in 
the  production  of  a  discharge  commonly  called  leiicorrhcea,  which 
in  its  early  stages  is  a  secretion  composed  of  mucus,  and  if  this  is 
not  arrested  by  suitable  remedial  measures,  both  constitutional 
and  topical,  it  rapidh^  assumes  a  graver  character  b}'  the  addition 
therewith  of  blood  and  pus.  The  consequences  of  this  condition 
are  serious  to  the  breeder  as  to  them  may  be  traced  the  fact  that 
so  many  mares  prove  barren,  the  secretion  being  of  an  acrid  char- 
acter destro3's  the  active  elements  (spermatozoa)  of  the  semen  of 
the  horse;  this  disease  when  originating  in  the  uterus  may  be  due 
to  the  same  causes  as  those  enumerated  under  simple  vaginitis  or 
to  abortion  or  miscarriage;  moreover  if  pregnancy  is  effected, 
notwithstanding  the  presence  of  this  leucorrJuva,  it  maj^  also  result 
in  abortion;  it  will  therefore  be  quite  clear  that  it  is  very  import- 
ant, especially  in  the  case  of  valuable  mares  kept  solel}'  for  breed- 
ing, to  watch  for  the  presence  of  this  discharge  before  the  timxC  of 
CESTRUM  (coming  into  use),  otherwise  it  may  be  easily  overlooked. 

The  first  thing  to  observe  in  treatment  is  cleanliness,  and  the 
best  method  of  ensuring  this  is  to  freely  wash  out  the  canal  and 
womb  with  a  tepid  solution  of  Corrosive  sublimate  consisting  of 
16 


242  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

one  part  of  the  drug  to  one  thousand  of  water;  this  can  best  be 
effected  by  using  a  large  syringe  with  a  long  wooden  nozzle;  the 
injection  should  be  continued  until  the  solution  returns  per  vulvam 
quite  clear  and  free  from  any  secretion;  after  that  a  lotion  of 
Hydrastis  B,  one  part  to  six  of  tepid  water  should  be  injected  well 
into  the  womb  and  after  quickly  withdrawing  the  syringe  hold 
the  lips  of  the  vulva  firmly  together  in  order  to  retain  the  lotion 
upon  the  parts  for  some  two  or  three  minutes;  if  after  the  first  ap- 
plication the  secretion  is  decidedly  less  the  Corrosive  sicblimate 
solution  washing  need  not  be  repeated,  otherwise  it  should  be; 
but  the  injection  of  the  i^^r^i'/zV  lotion  must  be  repeated  night 
and  morning  till  a  cure  is  effected;  the  internal  administration 
night  and  morning  of  Hydrastis  0,  ten  drops  in  a  wineglass  of 
water  to  a  dose  will  much  facilitate  the  cure. 

METRITIS,  INFI^AMMATION  OF  THE  WOMB. 

This  disease  is  sometimes  described  as  parturie?it  /ever;  when 
it  occurs  as  a  sequel  to  the  birth  of  a  foal  it  may  very  easily  result 
in  blood  poisoning,  if  the  surroundings  of  the  box  or  stable  are  of 
an  unsanitar}^  character  or  if  the  dung  pit  is  in  close  proximity; 
and  in  cases  of  protracted  labor  or  when  the  titcnis  has  been 
wounded  by  the  careless  use  of  instruments  in  effecting  delivery, 
the  septic  infection  gains  entrance  to  the  blood  through  this 
wound  or  abrasion.  True  metritis  ma)'  be  recognized  by  the  ex- 
alted body  temperature,  it  rapidly  riins  up  to  105  degrees  or  even 
higher,  and  by  the  increased  frequency  of  the  pulse;  from  ninety 
to  one  hundred  beats  per  minute  being  by  no  means  infrequently 
observed,  the  respirations  being  proportinately  increased  in 
number.  The  mare  will  give  distinct  evidence  of  acute  pain  by 
turning  her  head  first  to  one  side  and  then  the  other  in  the  region 
where  the  uterus  is  situated,  and  if  the  abdomen  thereabouts  is 
manipulated  and  also  the  loins  she  will  generally  flinch  as  though 
the  parts  were  very  tender;  she  will  lie  down  and  rise  again 
quickly  and  give  evidence  of  great  restlessness,  hence  the  condi- 
tion must  not  be  mistaken  for  one  of  simple  colic;  as  the  inflam- 
mation increases  the  mare  will  continue  standing  presumably  be- 
cause the  act  of  lying  down  hurts  her,  the  organ  having  become 
increasingly  tender;  considerable  difficulty  is  generally  experienced 
in  evacuating  the  bladder  and  rectum. 


METRITIS.  243 

Aconite  3X. — It  is  generally  safe  to  give  this  remedy  in  the  first 
instance,  especially  when  the  pulse  is  hard,  full  and  rapid,  the 
temperature  very  high,  skin  hot  and  dry,  abdomen  very  tender  to 
the  touch  and  accompanied  by  marked  restlessness. 

Belladonna  3X. — Straining  and  pressure  of  the  vagina  outwards; 
the  mucous  membrane  of  the  vagina  very  bright  red;  the  urine 
flows  involuntarily;  mare  is  very  violent,  and  the  membranes  of 
the  nose  and  e3'es  are  a  bright  red;  mare  will  press  the  forehead 
against  the  wall  as  though  suffering  from  headache;  throbbing  of 
carotid  arteries. 

Nnx  vomica  3X. — This  remedy  is  useful  when  there  are  fre- 
quent but  ineffectual  attempts  at  passing  water  or  dung,  or  both; 
constipation. 

Lachesis  30. — In  cases  of  blood  poisoning  indicated  by  shiver- 
ing; alternate  heat  and  cold  of  body  outwardly;  suppression  of 
urine  and  stool;  stinking  bloody  discharge  from  the  vagina;  great 
uneasiness;  the  visible  mucous  membranes  assume  a  dark  hue  and 
the  temperature  rises  higher  until  the  crisis,  at  which  period  if  the 
change  is  not  favorable,  the  temperature  will  drop  down  gradually 
until  it  is  below  the  normal  standard  of  98.5  degrees,  under  which 
circumstances  the  termination  is  likely  to  be  unfavorable. 

In  cases  where  convalescence  is  not  established  and  the  malady 
passes  into  the  chronic  form,  which  is  by  no  means  a  rare  occur- 
rence, the  discharge  from  the  womb  will  continue  and  assume  a 
putrid,  stinking  character;  swellings  and  ulcers  will  appear  on 
the  external  part  of  the  vulva;  relapses  will  take  place  and  show 
themselves  by  alternate  fits  of  heat  and  shivering  cold;  the  appe- 
tite becomes  irregular;  the  coat  stares  and  the  skin  clings  to  the 
bod}^  and  will  become  covered  with  red  spots  and  various  erup- 
tions; colicky  pains  and  constipation  will  recur;  the  secretion  of 
milk  is  entirely  discontinued;  for  such  conditions  Secale  conuUuni 
3x  is  the  best  remedy.  Should  this  not  complete  the  cure  Sulphur 
6x  trituration,  twenty  grains  dr}'  on  the  tongue,  morning  and 
night  for  three  days  will  often  serve  to  arouse  the  system  and 
render  the  action  of  the  medicine  that  has  previously  been  admin- 
istered more  effectual  and  so  complete  the  cure. 

Breeders  of  valuable  horses,  whether  blood  stock,  trotters  or 
cart  horses  cannot  give  too  much  attention  to  their  brood  mares  at 
foaling  time  with  a  view  to  save  them  from  the  risk  of  an}-  sort  of 


244  "  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

infection;  for  parturition  certainly  predisposes  to  this,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  favorable  condition  of  the  parts,  both  genital  canal 
and  uterus,  to  come  under  the  influence  of  septic  (poisonous) 
material;  and  for  this  reason  the  most  stringent  measures  should 
be  adopted  to  ensure  perfect  cleanliness  both  in  and  around  the 
box  in  which  the  mare  foals;  and  further,  it  is  a  wise  precaution 
to  keep  other  in-foal  mares,  whose  time  for  delivery  is  near  at 
hand  as  far  away  from  the  mare  that  has  just  foaled  as  circum- 
stances will  permit,  and  that  for  a  sufficient  time  to  be  satisfied 
that  the  mare  has  cleansed  and  is  going  on  satisfactorily;  and 
under  no  conditions  should  a  man  who  has  assisted  in  removing  a 
decomposing  cleansing  be  allowed  to  go  near  an  in-foal  mare 
until  he  has  had  a  thorough  good  bath  and  disinfected  his  outer 
clothing;  disregard  of  these  precautions  is  only  too  often  the 
chief  factor  in  bringing  about  abortion  or  slipping  foal;  neither 
should  any  recently  foaled  mare  be  allowed  to  go  into  a  pasture 
with  other  in-foal  mares;  all  the  litter  in  the  box  wherein  the 
mare  foaled  should  be  burnt;  and  if  the  mare  has  been  the  subject 
of  any  of  the  foregoing  maladies,  the  floor  of  the  box  should  be 
thoroughly  disinfected  with  quicklime  before  allowing  another 
mare  to  occupy  it. 

MAMMITIS,  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  UDDER. 

Although  this  is  a  form  of  disease  that  rarely  attacks  the  mare, 
--no  work  on  medicine  would  be  complete  without  reference  to  it; 
moreover  it  is  necessary  for  the  horse  breeder  to  be  on  his  guard 
against  any  disorganization  of  this  gland  lest  the  milk  should  be 
altered  in  character  or  the  secretion  suppressed  or  only  diminished, 
the  consequence  of  which  would  fall  on  the  sucking  foal. 

In  the  mare  the  gland  is  divided  into  two  partitions  thus  differ- 
ing from  the  cow,  whose  udder  has  four  divisions.  In  the  mare 
the  whole  gland  is  generally  affected,  while  in  the  cow  only  one 
quarter  is,  as  a  rule,  the  seat  of  inflammation  in  the  first  instance 
or  at  one  time. 

Symptoms. — The  gland  is  swollen,  hard  and  shiny;  the  swell- 
ing extends  along  the  abdomen,  on  the  inside  of  the  thighs  and 
down  the  legs;  the  large  veins  on  the  under  surface  of  the  abdo- 
men are  distended  and  full;  if  the  teats  are  squeezed  a  thick  fluid 
mixed  with  blood  is  discharged;  or  if  there  is  no  blood  the  milk 


MAMMITIS.  245 

•comes  away  in  clots  or  flakes;  febrile  symptoms  are  present  as 
indicated  by  the  exalted  temperature,  the  rapid  full  pulse,  and  the 
quickened  breathing;  constipation  frequently  persists,  and  the 
tn-ine  is  high-colored  and  lessened  in  quantit)^;  if  pressure  is 
brought  to  bear  on  the  loins  the  mare  evinces  pain  and  stiffness, 
sometimes  to  the  extent  of  lameness  of  one  hind  leg  on  the  side  the 
udder  is  most  affected;  where  timely  treatment  is  not  resorted  to 
the  mare  may  lose  the  use  of  the  udder  through  the  organ  becom- 
ing hardened  and  wasted. 

Trkatment. — Aconite  3X  when  the  inflammation  is  set  up  by  a 
•chill  and  high  fever  is  present  together  with  restless  anxiety  and 
great  thirst. 

Belladonna  3X  when  the  bladder  is  very  swollen  and  heavy, 
and  the  veins  and  arteries  stand  out  prominentl3^ 

Phytolacea  ix. — This  is  as  a  rule  the  best  remedy  for  this  disease 
and  in  conjunction  with  Belladonna  effects  a  satisfactory  cure  even 
when  suppuration  is  established;  it  is  specially  indicated  wdien 
the  udder  is  very  hard  and  the  beats  are  painful  and  sensitive  to 
manipulation. 

Bryonia  2x  when  the  parts  are  stony  hard  and  lumpy;  ex- 
tremely hot,  excessively  painful  and  sensitive;  great  thirst  and 
constipation  the  faeces  being  dry  and  burnt  looking;  moving  seems 
to  aggravate  the  pain. 

Silicea  6x  ten  grains  dr}'  on  tongue,  night  and  morning,  when 
suppuration  is  very  advanced,  and  the  udder  discharges  matter 
from  broken  ulcers. 

As  a  rule  properly  selected  remedies  reduce  the  inflammation 
and  avert  suppuration,  but  in  severe  cases  these  internal  remedial 
measures  should  be  supplemented  by 

Local  applicatioxs  such  as  fomentations  with  hot  water  and 
poultices;  with  the  latter  a  few  drops  of  the  mother  tincture  of  the 
remedy  which  is  being  internally  administered  may  usefull)^  be 
applied;  the  poultice  should  consist  of  some  soft  agent  like  linseed 
meal  or  marshmallow;  or,  better  still,  "  spent  "  hops;  if  difficulty 
is  experienced  in  applying  and  keeping  in  place  such  a  poultice 
then  the  udder  should  be  well  rubbed  with  a  cerate  or  ointment 
medicated  with  the  remedy  which  is  being  internally  administered; 
if,  however,  suppuration  is  established  nothing  short  of  a  poultice 
will  be  of  any  use,  and  this  must  be  continued  until  the  abscess  is 


246  VETERNARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

discharged,  after  which  the  orifice  should  be  gently  plugged  with 
cottou  wool  dressed  over  with  Iodoform  and  repeated  during  the 
healing  process  so  long  as  it  will  remain  in  place;  this  is  to  serve 
as  a  preventive  against  septic  infection  and  blood  poisoning. 

SORE  TEATS. 

It  may  happen,  especially  in  mares  with  a  first  foal,  that  the 
teats  are  very  sore  fiom  cracks  and  fissures  in  their  substance;  and 
on  some  octasions  they  become  so  tender  and  sore  that  the  mare 
not  only  absolutely  refuses  to  allow  the  foal  to  suck,  but  when 
the  latter  is  persistent  in  its  efforts  to  obtain  its  nutriment,  may 
go  so  far  as  to  kick  and  perhaps  permanently  injure  it;  under 
such  circumstances  the  teats  require  attention ;  the  cracks  may  be 
brought  on  by  cold  or  by  the  strong  pulling  of  the  foal  in  the  act 
of  sucking. 

Treatment. — Thoroughly  cleanse  the  teats  with  warm  water; 
dress  them  with  a  lotion  made  up  according  to  the  following 
formula:  Calendula  0  one  part,  Glycerine  two  parts  and  water 
three  parts.  If  possible  the  foal  should  not  be  allowed  to  suck 
for  two  or  three  days,  which  of  course  necessitates  hand  feeding 
with  cows  milk  the  while,  and  the  use  of  the  teat  syphon  to  empty 
the  glands  must  be  resorted  to;  this  little  syphon  must  be  obtained 
of  a  size  to  suit  the  mares  teats;  before  introducing  same  the 
instrument  should  be  dressed  with  carbolized  oil;  then  holding 
.  the  teat  with  one  hand  it  should  be  gradually  passed  into  the 
milk  duct  without  any  force  and  allowed  to  remain  till  the  contents 
of  the  gland  have  drained  off;  this  process  together  with  the 
cleansing  and  the  dressing  should  be  repeated  three  times  in 
twenty-four  hours  at  least.  The  internal  administration  of  tritura- 
tion of  Graphites  6x,  grains  five  to  a  dose,  night  and  mornings 
will  facilitate  the  cure. 

THE  FOAE. 

It  is  impossible  to  lay  down  any  general  rule  for  the  treatment 
of  foals,  but  as  these  are  frequently  the  subject  of  some  infantile 
disorders,  the  work  would  not  be  anything  like  complete  that  did 
not  refer  to  same;  for  instance,  before  the  foetus  is  absolutely  sep- 
arated from  the  mother  by  severance  of  the  umbilical  cord,  the 
same  being  born  in  the  fcetal  membranes,  it  is  quite  evident  it 


THE    FOAL.  247 

must  be  released  therefrom  or  it  will  be  suffocated;  if  the  cord  is 
not  properly  ruptured  it  should  be  ligatured  (tied)  with  string  or 
catgut  ill  two  places;  the  one  about  two  inches  from  the  body  of 
the  foal,  and  the  other  one  inch  from  that  again,  and  severed  be- 
tween the  two;  the  membranes  should  be  ruptured  and  carefully 
removed  thereafter,  leaving  the  mare  to  cleanse  the  body  by  lick- 
ing; but  if  she  shows  an}^  disinclination  for  this,  sprinkle  the  body 
of  the  foal  with  a  small  quantity  of  salt  or  oatmeal  in  order  to  ex- 
cite the  attention  of  the  dam  and  induce  her  to  fulfill  her  maternal 
duties;  it  is  desirable,  also,  to  examine  carefully  the  natural  open- 
ings of  the  foal,  such  as  the  anus,  mouth,  vulva,  etc.,  and  if  these 
do  not  exist,  produce  artificial  ones  by  puncturing  the  parts  with 
a  sharp  knife  and  keeping  the  orifice  open  by  plugging  same  with 
medicated  wool  to  prevent  union  of  the  parts.  If  the  foal  when 
born  does  not  appear  to  have  any  life  or  animation,  it  is  probable 
the  act  of  breathing  has  not  been  properly  established,  but  to 
induce  this  several  experiments  may  be  tried;  for  instance,  some 
cold  water  poured  on  the  top  of  the  head;  rubbing  the  limbs  with 
considerable  friction;  tickling  the  nostrils  with  a  feather;  remove 
the  mucus  from  the  mouth  with  a  damp  sponge,  after  which  an 
attempt  may  be  made  to  artificially  inflate  the  lungs  with  air  by 
means  of  a  pair  of  bellows  carefully  passed  up  one  nostril  while 
the  other  is  closed  by  pressure  over  the  side  of  the  nose.  Should 
the  mare  refuse  to  cleanse  the  foal,  it  should  be  carefully  washed 
with  a  warm  sponge,  dried  with  soft  cloths,  and  thereafter  kept 
warm,  the  milk  of  the  mare  being  hand  drawn  and  given  to  the 
foal;  if  by  reason  of  temper  or  inexperience  the  foal  is  not  allowed 
to  suck,  the  mare  must  be  put  under  restraint,  and  the  foal  be 
coaxed  to  utilize  the  teats,  after  which,  as  a  rule,  the  foal  will  find 
the  udder  of  its  own  accord  and  the  mare  takes  kindly  to  it  and 
fulfills  her  maternal  functions  without  further  compulsion. 
Within  a  few  hours  of  the  birth,  after  the  foal  has  partaken  of  its 
first  meal  of  milk,  it  should  have  an  abundant  evacuation  of  the 
material  collected  in  the  intestines  during  its  intra- uterine  period 
of  existence;  should  this  not  take  place,  and  the  anal  orifice  bemg 
quite  certainly  clear,  then  some  remedial  measures  should  be 
adopted  or  troublesome  infantile  constipation  will  ensue;  probably 
the  best  remedy  is  a  small  dose  of  a  mixture  of  liquid  honey  and 
castor  oil  in  equal  parts,  in  all  amounting  to  a  quarter  of  a  pint; 


248  VETERINARY    HOilCEOPATHY. 

if,  however,  the  constipation  has  become  established  other  meas- 
ures must  be  adopted,  as  purgatives  or  even  mild  laxatives  only 
effect  the  desired  object  for  the  time,  the  constipation  thereafter 
being  more  firmly  established  than  ever;  for  treatment  under  such 
conditions  reference  must  be  made  to  the  general  article  on  consti- 
pation and  the  remedy  selected  according  to  the  symptoms;  the 
same  remarks  apply  to  cases  of  diarrhoea,  as  upon  the  subjects  of 
constipation  and  diarrhoea  special  chapters  are  written;  the  treat- 
ment of  the  allopathic  school  under  such  conditions  being  so  dia- 
metrically opposed  to  that  of  the  homoeopathic  it  is  deemed  advisa- 
ble to  devote  special  attention  to  the  consideration  and  treatment 
of  these  two  forms  of  common  ailment. 

After  the  foal  is  born  it  will  sometimes  exhibit  signs  of  too 
much  bleeding  from  the  remains  of  the  cord  by  which  it  was  origi- 
nally attached  to  its  mother;  under  such  circumstances  it  is  best, 
if  enough  of  the  cord  remains,  to  tie  a  piece  of  silk  firmly  round 
it,  being  careful  that  none  of  the  intestines  are  inclosed;  should, 
however,  the  remnant  of  the  cord  be  too  short  to  get  sufficient  hold 
for  a  ligature,  then  soak  apiece  of  cotton,  wool  or  lint  wjth  sesqui- 
chloride  of  iron  and  apply  same  firmly  to  the  parts  by  means  of  a 
bandage  over  the  loins,  or  if  there  is  difficulty  in  maintaining  this 
in  position  by  reason  of  the  restlessness  of  the  foal,  then  obtain  a 
stick  of  nitrate  of  silver  and  gently  dress  the  orifice  and  surround- 
ing parts  with  same  until  the  bleeding  is  arrested. 

In  some  countries  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  for  foals  to  have  a 
rupture,  which  may  appear  at  birth  or  soon  after,  at  the  seat  of 
the  navel,  and  if  not  cured  at  the  time  it  may  prove  very  trouble- 
some; this  shows  itself  in  the  form  of  a  round  tumor  into  which 
the  intestines  drop,  and  it  v^aries  in  size  according  to  the  amount 
of  intestine  that  has  descended,  and  how  full  the  intestines  are  at 
the  time;  no  measures  need  be  taken  for  some  little  time  beyond 
the  administration  of  doses,  night  and  morning,  of  Calcarea  car- 
bonica  6x  grains  five  to  a  dose;  should  this  not  answer  and  an 
operation  prove  necessary,  then  resort  nuist  be  had  to  a  trained 
veterinar}'  surgeon. 

ARTHRITIS. 

The  heading  of  this  chapter  is  the  name  given  to  a  disease  that 
affects  the  joints  of  foals;  it  is  recognized  in  England  under  the 


ARTHRITIS.  249 

term  "  joint  ill;"  we  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  of  scrofulous  origin, 
and  due  in  no  small  degree  to  improper  crossing  of  mares  with 
horses,  either  the  sire  or  the  dam  being  the  subject  of  some  dis- 
ease which  interferes  wath  their  capability  to  reproduce  healthy 
progeny;  some  attribute  its  development  to  improper  systems  of 
management  or  to  giving  the  mare  food  deficient  in  those  nutrient 
qualities  which  the  requirements  of  the  foal  demand;  while  yet 
again  it  is  considered  that  the  milk  of  the  dam  is  lacking  in  the 
proper  proportion  of  mineral  salts.  Our  own  opinion  is  that  each 
of  these  views  has  some  bearing  upon  the  condition  known  as 
arthritis,  but  that  probably  the  digestive  organs  of  the  foal  are 
more  responsible  than  aught  else  for  the  disease  in  consequence  of 
which  the  food  is  not  thoroughly  assimilated,  and  while  the  nec- 
essary constituents  may  be,  and  probably  are,  present  in  the  food 
a  large  proportion  of  these  pass  through  the  system  of  the  foal 
without  being  appropriated  as  they  should  be;  the  principal 
tissue  in  the  body  of  the  foal  to  feel  the  effect  of  this  resulting 
deficiency  is  the  bone,  and  the  epipheses  or  large  ends  of  the 
bones  of  the  legs,  which  together  help  to  form  the  joints,  not  hav- 
ing the  necessary  amount  of  the  mineral  elements  deposited  in 
them  become  the  seat  of  a  disease  which  produces  so  much  incon- 
venience and  pain,  and  not  infrequently  results  in  consequences 
sufficiently  important  to  influence  the  general  constitution;  in 
Homoeopathy  we  have  one  remedy  which  has  proved  eminently 
satisfactory  in  overcoming  this  diseased  condition  and  also  its 
■various  complications;  moreover,  if  it  is  given  in  the  earlier 
developmental  period,  the  more  serious  complications  need  not  be 
anticipated;  the  earlier  symptoms  are  swelling  and  heat  of  the 
joints,  particularly  those  of  the  fetlocks,  which  on  manipulation 
will  be  found  exceptionally  painful  and  tender  to  the  touch  and 
productive  of  considerable  lameness;  if  the  general  constitutional 
symptoms  give  evidence  of  high  fever  a  few  doses  of  Aconite  3X 
ten  drops  may  be  administered  with  advantage,  thereafter  to  be 
followed  for  some  weeks  by  five-grain  doses  of  Calcarea  phos- 
phorica  6x  night  and  morning,  and  unless  the  arthritis  becomes 
complicated  by  the  development  of  abscesses  around  the  joints 
and  among  the  tendons  this  remedy  should  complete  the  cure,  but 
in  the  event  of  such  complications  five  grains  oi  Silicea  i2x  three 
times  a  day  must  be  substituted. 


250  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 


INDIGESTION. 


Among  highly  bred  blood  or  trotting  stock,  which  are  bred 
specially  for  sport  or  sale,  indigestion  in  the  foal  is  a  malady  of 
rare  occurrence  because  the  little  animal  is  never  away  from  the 
mare  and  therefore  takes  its  food  at  proper  intervals;  but  in  the 
case  of  the  cart  mare,  working  on  the  farm,  the  absence  from  the 
foal  during  the  hours  of  labor  necessitates  the  retention  of  milk  in 
the  udder  until  it  probably  becomes  altered  in  constitution  or  on 
returning,  the  foal  being  ravenously  hungry,  engorges  its  stomach 
with  fluid  that  is  not  now  fit  for  it;  the  obvious  method  to  be 
adopted  to  avoid  this  state  of  things  is  to  allow  the  foal  to  suckle 
at  more  frequent  intervals;  indigestion  may  be  due  to  the  im- 
proper diet  given  to  the  mare  or  to  the  natural  acidity  of  the 
secretions  of  the  foal's  stomach;  if  the  former  accounts  for  it  the 
diet  must  be  altered;  if  the  latter,  a  few  doses  of  Chamomilla  3X 
given  to  the  youngster  will  generally  put  matters  right;  should 
the  indigestion  assume  the  lympanitic  form  when  swelling  of  the 
abdomen  is  a  leading  symptom  and  much  wind  is  passed  per  anus, 
Carbo  vegetabilis  ix,  gr.  x,  three  times  a  day  will  afford  relief. 

We  have  how  touched  upon  the  several  ailments  to  w^hich  the 
young  foal  is  subject  with  the  exception  of  two  very  common  dis- 
orders, the  one  being  the  antithesis  of  the  other,  namely,  constipa- 
tion and  diarrhoea;  but  thf^se,  as  has  been  already  intimated,  will 
_be  dealt  with  under  chapters  specially  devoted  to  these  subjects; 
we  therefore  now  revert  to  the  mother  once  more  and  take  up  the 
consideration  of  that  great  curse  to  the  breeder, 

ABORTION  AND  PREMATURE  BIRTH. 

By  the  term  abortion  we  desire  to  be  understood  that  the  foetus 
is  expelled  at  a  period  anterior  to  that  in  which  it  could  maintain 
a  separate  existence  from  its  dam.  Authorities  on  the  subject  are 
pretty  well  agreed  that  in  the  mare  this  period  may  be  included 
any  time  before  the  three  hundredth  day  of  gestation,  but  it  occurs 
more  frequently  during  the  first  half  of  the  period  of  pregnancy 
than  the  second  half  Abortions  occur  under  very  varying  condi- 
tions; some  are  due  to  accidents  and  take  place  in  various  parts  of 
a  country;  while,  yet  again,  quite  a  number  of  cases  may  arise  on 
one  estate,  or  in  one  township,  or  a  large  country  district  will  be 


ABORTION   AND    PREMATURE    BIRTH.  25 1 

affected  at  one  cind  the  same  time,  and  that  without  any  recognized 
cause;  this  latter  condition,  however,  is  rarely  experienced  among 
studs  of  mares  without  the  cause  being  capable  of  recognition, 
such  as  some  particular  description  of  food,  as  ergotism  among 
rye  grass,  a  species  of  rust  in  straw  and  a  filthy  water  supply. 
Anything  which  is  calculated  to  effect  a  sudden  surprise  such  as 
a  thunderstorm,  may  produce  abortion,  while  contagion  from 
decomposing  cleansings  or  the  discharges  from  mares  that  have 
already  aborted  is  considered  capable  of  bringing  on  miscarriage. 
Probably  the  most  potent  cause  in  the  production  of  abortion  is  a 
diseased  condition  of  the  uterus  and  the  vagina,  or  it  may  be 
traced  occasionally  to  debility  in  the  stallion  in  consequence  of  the 
horse's  strength  being  enfeebled  by  being  called  on  to  serve  too 
many  mares  during  a  season.  With  regard  to  the  symptoms  of 
abortion  we  cannot  do  better  than  to  quote  from  Fleming's  Vctcr- 
inary  Obstetrics,  as  therein  they  are  clearly  set  forth,  and  though 
expressed  in  somewhat  scientific  terms  they  will  probably  assist 
the  breeder  to  discover  when  a  mare  is  likely  to  be  visited  wath 
this  mishap;  it  states  as  follows: 

"  Generally  abortion  takes  place  without  any  premonitory  indi- 
cations, and  the  animal  may  be  as  well  and  lively  as  usual  up  to 
the  moment  when  the  foetus  is  expelled;  and  the  expulsion  itself 
is  so  sudden,  so  prompt  and  accomplished  with  so  little  visible 
effort  or  disturbance  that  the  accident  in  most  cases  receives  very 
little  if  any  notice.  It  often  occurs  during  the  night  and  wonder 
is  often  expressed  at  finding  in  the  morning  the  aborted  fcetus, 
generally  contained  in  its  intact  envelopes,  lying  behind  an  animal 
which,  on  the  previous  evening,  looked  perfectly  well,  and  even 
now  is  so  cheerful  and  unaltered  and  its  functions  so  unimpaired, 
that  it  can  scarcely  be  believed  that  it  has  been  the  subject  of  such 
a  mishap.  Even  the  sentiment  of  maternity,  which  is  so  strongly 
developed  in  animals,  as  Saint  Cry  justly  remarks,  is  not  awakened 
in  favor  of  the  expelled  foetus,  and  the  mother  shows  the  utmost 
indifference  to  it  as  if  it  were  in  no  way  related  to  her.  When 
this  simple  abortion  has  taken  place  during  the  day,  it  has  been 
noted  that  the  flanks  fall  in  a  little,  the  abdomen  descends,  the 
vulva  and  vagina  slightly  dilate  and  there  escapes  from  them  a 
glutinous,  sometimes  sanguinolent  fluid,  with  which  the  foetus  is 
passed,  sometimes  without  effort.     We  have  said  that  the  ovum  or 


252  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

foetus  is  generally  expelled  in  its  intact  membranes;  this  more- 
frequently  happens  at  an  early  stage  of  pregnancy.  vSometimes, 
however,  the  amnion  ruptures  at  the  commencement  of  the  abor- 
tion and  the  embryo  or  foetus  escapes  with  a  small  quantity  of 
liquor  amnii,  the  envelopes  being  rejected  soon  after,  or  in  some 
instances  they  may  be  retained  in  the  uterus,  and  thus  constitute 
a  source  of  danger,  the  animal  not  making  any  effort  to  get  rid  of 
them.  This  complicated  abortion  occurs  more  frequently  at  the 
later  stages  of  pregnancy,  and  more  resembles  normal  birth  than 
simple  abortion,  which  is  more  often  witnessed  in  the  first  half  of 
gestation.  Nevertheless  we  have  the  latter  happen  so  late  some- 
times as  the  seventh  or  eighth  month  in  the  larger  animals.  -  It 
is  observed  more  particularly  in  those  which  are  debilitated  from 
any  cause;  but  at  the  same  time  animals  which  appear  in  the  very 
best  health  are  often  the  victims  of  simple  abortion.  So  little  dis- 
turbance does  this  kind  of  abortion  cause  that  the  animal  can 
be  treated  in  every  way  as  if  nothing  had  happened,  though 
it  is  more  judicious  to  give  a  little  extra  care  for  some 
hours  at  least.  In  what  has  been  termed  laborious,  difficult 
or  complicated  abortion,  which  is  often  due  to  external  causes 
such  as  injuries,  the  precursory  sj^mptoms  are  generally  well 
marked,  and  vary  somewhat  according  as  the  foetus  may  be 
dead  or  alive.  The  animal  suddenly  appears  dull,  and 
peculiarly  dejected;  or  it  is  restless,  uneasy  and  continually 
moving  about;  if  pregnancy  is  advanced  and  the  foetus  is  alive 
and  strong,  its  movements  are,  on  watching  the  abdomen  at- 
tentively, perceived  to  be  frequent,  violent  and  disordered,  but 
they  soon  become  feeble  and  unfrequent  and  cease  altogether  when 
the  foetus  has  succumbed.     The  appetite  is  lost,   and  a  plaintive 

neigh  in  the  mare is  emitted  every  now  and  again;  the 

pulse  is  quick,  small  and  hard  as  in  haemorrhage;  progression  is 
difficulty  and  unsteady;  the  physiognomy  is  anxious  and  respira- 
tion hurried.  When  the  foetus  is  alive  there  is  perhaps  less  pros- 
tration, and  with  the  mare  there  appears  to  be  much  abdominal 
pain.  The  animal  often  looks  anxiously  towards  the  flanks,  paws 
with  its  fore  feet  and  stamps  with  its  hind  ones,  moves  from  side 
to  side,  perspires  at  the  flank  breast  and  elsewhere,  lies  down  and 
gels  up  again,  whisks  the  tail  incessantly  and  exhibits  every  indi- 
cation of  increasing  restlessness.     At  the  same  time  the  abdomen. 


ABORTION    AND    PREMATURE    BIRTH.  253 

loses  its  round  shape  and  drops;  if  the  animal  is  in  milk,  the 
mammae  become  soft  and  diminish  in  size  more  or  less  rapidly, 
while  the  secretion  diminishes;  but  if  it  is  not  yielding  milk  then 
on  the  contrary  they  become  enlarged  and  turgid;  the  vulva  is 
tumefied,  and  from  it  escapes  a  tenacious  mucus,  serous  or  sero- 
sanguinolent  and  if  the  foetus  is  dead  more  or  less  foetid  fluid,  ac- 
cording to  the  circumstances.  Then  follow  sj'mptoms  analogous 
to  those  which  characterize  normal  parturition;  the  uterus  begins 
to  contract,  and  the  expiratory  muscles  act  simultaneously  with  it; 
the  expulsive  efforts  or  '  labor  pains '  acting  more  or  less  ener- 
getically and  continuously  according  to  the  suddenness  of  the 
abortion  and  the  strength  and  health  of  the  animal.  The  first  re- 
sult of  this  straining  is  the  evacuation  of  the  bladder  and  rectum; 
the  rext  is  the  dilatation  of  the  os  uteri  and  protrusion  of  the  mem- 
branes into  the  vagina,  then  through  the  vulva  where  they  ap- 
pear externally  as  the  '  water  bag;'  this  may  rupture  and  the 
liquor  amnii  escape,  and  the  pains  becoming  more  powerful  the 
foetus  is  at  last  expelled  either  nude  or  covered  by  the  membranes. 
This  act  occupies  a  variable  period,  from  a  few  to  many  hours, 
according  to  the  strength  of  the  animal,  and  it  may  even  require 
human  intervention  to  bring  it  to  a  successful  termination.  In 
other  instances  the  foetus  is  not  expelled  immediately  after  it  is 
dead,  but  after  many  of  the  premonitory  symptoms  just  described 
have  been  manifested;  with  the  cessation  of  the  movements  in 
the  foetus  the  animal  regains  its  ordinary  tranquility,  appetite  and 
liveliness,  and  all  the  symptoms  disappear  for  one  or  more  days 
when  they  again  set  in  and  the  foetus  may  be  rejected  without  any 
apparent  effort  or  after  much  straining. ' ' 

From  a  study  of  this  graphic  description  of  the  circumstances 
arising  out  of  and  connected  with  a  possible  or  actually  realized 
abortion  it  will  be  possible,  if  discovered  sufficiently  early,  to 
make  an  attempt  to  avert  the  fulfillment  of  the  mishap  involving 
such  serious  pecuniary  loss;  but  before  offering  suggestions  of  a 
remedial  character  for  the  attainment  of  this  object,  we  may  just 
mention  in  passing  that  certain  conditions  of  the  uterus  and  its 
appendages  may  exist  before  pregnancy  which  are  sufficiently 
serious  to  produce  abortion  and  even  to  prevent  conception  and 
thus  account  for  barrenness;  horsemen  are,  as  a  rule,  more  in- 
clined to  attribute  barrenness  to  the  fault  of  the  stallion  than  to  the 


254  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

mare;  but  as  the  result  of  many  j'ears'  experience  during  which 
time  the  opportunity  of  examining  a  large  number  of  mares  has 
arisen,  we  unhesitatingly  alhrni  that  with  a  considerable  proportion 
of  barren  mares  the  stallion  is  not  to  blame,  but  the  mare  herself. 

Displacements  of  the  uterus  are  frequent;  the  cause  of 
these  it  is  not  necessary  to  go  into,  further  than  to  affirm  it  as  our 
belief  that  they  are  due  in  a  large  number  of  cases  to  unneces- 
sarily rough  obstetric  surgery  at  a  previous  delivery,  but  whatever 
the  cause  may  be,  the  fact  remains,  displacements  of  the  uterus  are 
frequently  met  with;  to  obviate  this  and  procure  conception 
it  is  necessary,  in  the  first  place,  to  allay  all  the  inflammatory 
effects  arising  from  the  distortion  of  the  organ,  and  thereafter  to 
ensure  the  introduction  of  the  male  semen  into  the  proper  chan- 
nel by  means  of  an  instrument,  for  the  invention  of  which  obstetric 
veterinary  surgeons  are  indebted  to  American  ingenuity.  Mares 
that  have  once  proved  barren  should  be  submitted  to  a  careful 
manual  examination  without  running  the  risk  of  losing  another 
season,  expending  money  in  stallion's  fees,  or  before  raising  any 
question  as  to  the  sterility  of  the  horse;  this  last  precaution  serves 
two  useful  purposes;  y?/'^^//)',  it  obviates  the  risk  of  any  legal  or 
contentious  proceedings  on  the  part  of  the  owner  of  the  stallion  for 
libellino-  his  animal,  and,  secondly,  it  saves  the  owner  of  the  mare 
from  further  disappointment  should  he  have  special  reasons  for 
availing  of  the  cross  with  that  particular  animal;  and  yet,  again, 
he  has  the  satisfaction  of  tracing  the  absolute  cause  of  the  barren- 
ness and  may  therefore  know  how  to  obviate  it  in  the  future;  we 
have  reason  to  speak  confidently  as  to  the  practical  utility  of  the 
OS  dieator,  having  put  it  to  the  test  with  perfectly  satisfactory 
results. 

Other  causes  of  abortion  and  barrenness  are  an  inflammatory 
and  ulcerated  condition  of  the  uterus;  also  of  the  neck  and  mouth 
of  the  uterus;  this  inflammatory  condition  of  the  uterus  and  ad- 
joining parts  results  in  the  secretion  of  an  unhealthy  and  foetid 
discharge,  occasionally  of  an  acrid  and  acid  character;  if  this  is 
present  when  conception  takes  place  it  tends  to  render  the  develop- 
ment of  the  embryo  very  imperfect  and  usually  results  in  abor- 
tion; and  it  may  be  added  that  the  acridity  of  the  secretion  is 
frequently  sufficient  to  destroy  the  vitality  of  the  semen,  prevent 
conception,  and  so  prove  the  immediate  cause  of  barremiess.    The 


ABORTION    AND    PREMATURE    BIRTH.  255 

causes  which  may  be  accountable  for  abortion  are  so  numerous  that 
it  is  impossible  to  include  within  the  limits  now  available  anything 
like  a  detailed  account  of  them,  but  we  must  in  passing  note  one 
form,  that  which  is  said  to  be  due  to  infection,  when  a  number  of 
animals  abort  one  after  another  w^ithout  any  assignable  reason ;  it 
is  true  that  such  a  result  is  not  frequently  noticed  among  mares, 
tut  that  is  probably  due  to  the  fact  that  as  a  rule  mares  are  not 
kept  in  such  numbers  as  are  cows  or  sheep;  but  there  is  no  reason 
why  such  fatal  consequences  should  not  follow  where  mares  are 
"kept  in  any  large  number  for  breeding  purposes;  we  are  never- 
theless firmly  of  opinion  that  under  proper  treatment  and  suitable 
conditions  there  is  no  reason  why  an  epidemic  of  abortion  ought 
not  to  be  prevented,  and  mainly  because  of  this  faith  do  we  pro- 
pose to  enter  into  the  consideration  of  the  administration  of  drugs 
as  one  means  of  averting  the  serious  losses  attendant  upon  the 
business  of  the  breeder;  the  main  symptoms  have  already  been 
furnished  in  the  language  of  Dr.  Fleming,  in  his  able  work  on 
Veterinary  Obstetrics,  and  these  must  serve  as  the  sign  posts  by  the 
way  to  point  the  breeder  to  the  destination  he  seeks  to  arrive  at; 
with  the  hints  there  offered  he  will  glean  information  that  wall 
enable  him  to  determine  if  abortion  is  threatened,  and  when  this 
is  so,  then  from  the  symptoms  given  under  the  various  drugs  he 
will  be  able  to  select  one  that  is  suitable  to  the  case,  and, 
perchance,  prevent  the  abortion;  on  the  other  hand,  if  one  mare 
aborts  then  the  time  has  arrived  for  watching  closely  all  the  other 
in-foal  mares  on  the  premises,  in  order  that  no  time  maj^  be  lost 
in  treating  them  should  symptoms  of  abortion  supervene. 

Arnica  3X. — In  cases  where  a  mare  has  sustained  an  injur}', 
such  as  running  against  a  fence  or  gate;  or  if  she  has  fallen  while 
galloping  about  and  so  experienced  a  shock  to  the  system,  a  few 
•doses  of  this  remedy  will  serve  to  prevent  untoward  results. 

Aletris  far.  0. — If  a  mare  has  aborted  more  than  once  this 
remedy  should  be  administered  in  ten-drop  doses  every  other  day 
for  a  fortnight  before  the  period  of  pregnancy  to  which  she  had 
attained  on  the  previous  occasion,  and  there  is  good  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  it  will  serve  to  interrupt  the  habitual  tendency  to 
abortion. 

Belladonna  3X.  When  a  mare  gives  signs  of  uneasiness,  and 
strains  till  the  vagina  presses  outwards,  with  more  or  less  discharge 


256  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

of  blood,  which  feels  very  hot;  the  eyes  bright  red,  and  the  carotid 
arteries  throb  under  pressure;  the  slightest  noise  causes  consider- 
able excitement. 

Calcarea  carb.  6x  is  suitable  for  mares  of  heavy  disposition  with 
little  or  no  life  about  them;  ears,  nose  and  legs  more  frequently 
cold  than  of  a  natural  heat;  the  slightest  abrasion  of  the  mucous 
membrane  brings  on  bleeding;  if  labor  pains  come  on  attended 
with  giddiness  and  the  before-mentioned  susceptibilities  are  recog- 
nized as  peculiar  to  the  animal  this  remed}^  will  suffice. 

Caulophyllum  t'. — Where  abortion  is  threatened  but  the  uterine 
contractions  are  feeble  and  the  loss  of  blood  slight. 

Chainomilla  3.  when  labor  pains  come  on  and  the  discharge 
of  dark  blood  is  attended  with  frequent  attempts  at  passing  water, 
the  urine  being  profuse  and  of  a  pale,  watery  color;  the  mare  will 
give  distinct  proof  of  excitability  and  irritableness,  by  continually 
Ijdng  down,  getting  up  and  moving  about  the  box  as  though  she 
did  not  know  what  to  do  with  herself;  moreover,  if  ordinarily  quiet 
and  inoffensive,  she  will  viciously  snap  at  her  attendant  as  he 
passes  her  off  his  guard. 

Cimicifuga  3X  for  mares  that  habitually  abort  and  have  at 
some  time  or  other  been  the  subjects  of  rheumatism;  this  has 
proved  itself  an  invaluable  remedy  under  the  conditions  indicated, 
and  is  one  of  the  agents  which  under  the  most  depressing  condi- 
tions does  such  valiant  service  for  the  cause  of  Homoeopathy,  as  it 
effects  the  cure  of  cases  that  entirely  baffle  the  best  efforts  of  Allo- 
pathy, probably  because  the  latter  fails  to  recognize  the  possible 
relation  between  two  such  diseases  as  abortion  and  rheumatism, 
and  the  bearing  one  has  upon  the  other. 

Cr-ocus  IX. — The  one  indication  for  this  remedy  is  the  discharge 
of  black  blood  in  string}^  clots;  this  is  by  no  means  an  unusual 
condition  when  mares  are  about  to  abort,  and  if  the  symptom  is 
presented  no  time  should  be  lost  in  administering  Crocus. 

Gelserniutn  ix  is  an  extremely  valuable  drug  in  those  cases 
where  the  symptoms  of  abortion  present  themselves  accompanied 
by  the  special  indication  "  loss  of  control  over  movement/'' 

Ipecacuanha  3X. — It  is  seldom  that  horses  ever  give  eviderice  of 
nausea  by  retching,  inasmuch  as  they  are  unable  to  vomit  through 
the  mouth  by  reason  of  a  belt  of  mucous  membrane  that  lies  at 
the  root  of  the  tongue,  being  suspended  from  the  roof  of  the  throat; 


ABORTION    AND   PREMATURE    BIRTH.  257 

but  occasionally  under  extreme  aggravation,  such  as  maj^  very 
possibl}'  take  place  with  an  in-foal  mare,  the  desire  to  vomit  over- 
<}omes  ever}^  obstacle  and  the  effort  is  repeatedly  made;  when  this 
effort  of  nature  accompanies  other  indications  of  abortion,  and  is 
attended  by  a  profuse  flow  of  bright  red-blood  per  vulvam,  Ipe- 
■cacuanha  will  render  good  service  and  effect  a  most  satisfactory 
cure. 

Sabina  ix. — When  abortion  occurs  at  regular  periods,  more 
particularly  the  fifth  month  in  mares  and  is  accompanied  by  a 
profuse  discharge,  clotted  and  fluid  blood,  some  dark,  some  red  in 
color. 

Viburnuvi  ix. — When  the  pains  are  very  severe  and  the  blood 
is  discharged  entirely  in  clots,  indicating  threatened  abortion. 

The  above-mentioned  are  all  suggested  as  preventive  remedies 
to  be  administered  according  to  their  special  indications  before 
abortion  has  taken  place;  we  have  now  to  consider  what  has  to  be 
done  where  abortion  has  already  occurred  first  as  regards  the  indi- 
vidual sufferer,  and  second  as  it  affects  or  may  affect  other  mares 
similarly  placed.  The  mare  that  has  aborted  requires  almost  as 
much  care  and  attention  as  one  that  has  gone  her  full  time  and 
born  a  fully  developed  foal;  she  should  be  protected  from  ex- 
posure and  generally  nursed  with  light,  easily  digestible  food  for 
a  few  days;  she  should  receive  a  few  doses  oi  Arnica  ix,  and  be 
watched  for  the  complications  attending  an  ordinary  parturition, 
especially  as  regards  the  cleansing;  at  least  twelve  months  should 
be  allowed  to  elapse  before  permitting  sexual  intercourse,  and 
meanwhile  a  manual  exploration  of  the  genital  organs  should  be 
made  by  a  qualified  veterinarian  to  determine  whether  the  parts 
are  all  in  a  healthy  state,  and  if  not,  proper  treatment  should  be 
adopted,  both  constitutional  and  local,  if  requisite.  If  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  the  abortion  is  due  to  infection  from  a 
previous  case,  great  care  should  be  taken  to  isolate  the  animal 
that  presents  sjmptoms  of  abortion,  and  keep  her  far  away  from 
other  pregnant  mares;  the  attendant  set  apart  to  look  after  the 
one  that  has  aborted  should  not  be  allowed  to  go  near  other  preg- 
nant mares  until  his  clothes  are  properly  disinfected;  all  the 
excreta  of  the  patient  should  be  covered  with  quick  lime,  the 
floor  and  drains  dressed  with  a  disinfectant,  and  thereafter  thor- 
oughly washed  down  with  plenty  of  water,  while  the  building 

^7 


258  VETKRINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

itself  should  be  disinfected  by  burning  sulphur  for  some  hours, 
and  thereafter  exposing  it  to  a  current  of  fresh  air  for  a  fortnight 
before  allowing  mares  that  are  with  foal  to  occupy  the  compart- 
ment. 

When  abortion  can  be  traced  to  ergotized  hay,  rusty  straw  or 
other  damaged  fodder,  the  remedy  is  clear  enough  and  it  calls  for 
no  suggestion  how  to  act.  To  those  who  have  invested  large 
sums  in  the  purchase  of  valuable  brood  mares  whose  object  it  is  to- 
make  breeding  pay,  or  we  would  even  say,  who  do  not  wish  to  lose 
money,  we  w'ould  impress  upon  such  the  importance  of  taking  some- 
thing like  a  scientific  view  of  the  position ;  mere  hap-hazard  chance 
will  not  do  where  vital  processes,  such  as  those  associated  with  re- 
production, are  concerned,  and  bearing  in  mind  the  immense  sums 
of  money  that  have  been  lost  for  want  of  a  more  delicate  apprecia- 
tion of  the  requirements  of  nature  under  such  conditions,  we  feel 
that  we  are  only  attempting  to  serve  the  cause  we  have  at  heart 
by  issuing  a  warning  note  on  this  all-important  subject  to  the 
breeders  of  the  future:  those  who  aim  to  realize  profit  at  horse 
breeding,  and  who  can  conduct  establishments  on  anything  like  an 
extensive  scale  should  see  to  it  that  they  secure  the  services  of  a 
qualified  veterinarian  who  has  made  the  subject  his  own  in  all  its 
bearings,  for  certainly  no  lay  horseman,  however  clever  and 
observant,  can  properly  undertake  the  responsibilities  arising  out 
of  the  care  of  a  stud  of  brood  mares,  if  the  best  possible  is  to  be 
made  out  of  them,  and  serious  losses  are  to  be  obviated;  for  men, 
who  are  horsemen  only,  and  have  no  practical  knowledge  of  the 
subject  of  reproduction,  the  art  of  breeding  must  be  a  costly  ex- 
periment, and  if  such  think  they  can  find  among  ordinary  stud 
grooms  or  stablemen,  those  who  can  properly  conduct  a  breeding 
establishment,  we  have  no  hesitation  in  stating  that  they  will  be 
disappointed  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten;  it  is  not  reasonable  to  ex- 
pect anything  else;  it  would  be  just  as  likely  to  answer,  if  a  man 
was  brought  up  to  the  business  of  a  shoemaker  to  expect  that  he 
could  conduct  a  large  engineering  works;  every  one  knows  what 
would  be  the  consequence  of  such  an  appointment.  It  would  be 
very  easy  to  point  to  quite  a  number  of  horse  breeders  who  seem 
to  have  done  fairly  well;  but  we  never  came  across  an  instance 
yet  where  far  better  things  might  not  have  been  realized  had  the 
business  been  in  the  hands  of  a  man  who  knew  how  to  deal  witli 


ABORTION    AND    PREMATURE    BIRTH.  259 

the  subject  of  breeding  from  a  scientific  standpoint;  the  saving  in 
mares  alone  would  have  shown  a  large  profit  on  the  gross  capital 
invested;  we  are  constrained  to  write  very  strongly  upon  this 
point,  because  so  many  men  act  as  though  the  reproduction  of  the 
various  classes  of  animals  was  a  mechanical  work;  something  like 
a  clock  which  has  to  be  wound  up  once  a  week  to  keep  it  regu- 
larly going;  although  necessarily  compelled  to  blow  one's  own 
trumpet  in  showing  how  the  business  should  be  conducted,  we  are 
not  slow  to  give  a  good,  loud  blast,  as  we  are  convinced  that  it 
will  be  for  the  ultimate  benefit  of  those  who  have  a  hobby  for 
breeding  horses  if  they  will  but  follow  our  suggestion,  which  is  to 
rely  upon  a  professional  veterinarian  in  all  that  concerns  the  man- 
agement of  brood  mares,  always  provided  that  he  has  made  the 
subject  a  specialty. 


THE  NERVOUS  SYSTEM. 


In  order  to  properly,  or  even  approximately,  understand  the  tre- 
mendous influence  which  the  nervous  system  exercises  over  all 
the  other  systems  of  the  animal  body  in  the  regulation  and  main- 
tenance of  their  varied  functions,  it  is  necessary  to  explain  roughly 
the  methods  by  which  this  marvelous  combination  of  cause  and 
effect  is  brought  about;  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  for  medical  men 
and  veterinarians  when  asked  to  account  for  certain  morbid  con- 
ditions, to  attempt  to  disguise  their  own  ignorance  of  the  real 
cause  by  attributing  the  same  to  the  mysterious  influence  of  the 
nervous  system,  a  procedure  which  doubtless  serves  to  mystify 
the  enquirer  and  may  even  leave  the  impression  that  the  profes- 
sional man  is  a  singularly  learned  individual;  it  does  not,  however, 
make  the  matter  any  clearer,  and  therefore  as  passing  reference 
has,  here  and  there,  through  this  book  been  made  to  the  influence 
of  the  nerves  or  the  nervous  system  in  the  production  of  certain 
morbid  conditions,  we  desire  as  far  as  it  is  possible  to  clear  up  such 
vao-ue  generalities  by  a  simple  explanation  of  how  these  effects 
are  brought  about,  and  that  before  the  special  diseases  affecting 
the  different  parts  of  the  nervous  system  are  considered.  First 
then,  of  what  does  the  nervous  system  consist?  It  may  perhaps 
render  the  explanation  more  easy  of  comprehension,  if  we  liken 
it  to  a  large  number  of  telegraphic  oflices,  all  of  which  are 
located  under  one  roof  and  more  or  less  intimately  connected 
too-ether.;  these  are  represented  by  the  brain  and  spinal  cord;  and 
each  of  the  respecti\-e  offices  is  represented  by  what  is  commonly 
known  as  a  nerve  centre;  each  of  the  before-mentioned  offices  has 
a  wire  which  conveys  messages  to  it,  and  a  wire  that  conveys 
messao-es  from  it;  these  wires  are  represented  by  what  are  known 
as  nerves;  for  instance,  an  external  impression  is  made  upon  some 
part  of  the  skin,  the  nerve  which  receives  such  an  impression 
conveys  the  message  like  a  telegraph  wire  to  the  office  or  nerve 
centre  in  the  spinal  cord,  and   from   thence  it  is  conveyed  by  the 

260 


THE    NERVOUS   SYSTEM.  26 1 

other  wire  to  some  particular  muscle  which  under  its  influence 
contracts:  this  is  spoken  of  in  physiology  as  reflexation;  in  other 
words  an  impulse  is  conveyed  to  a  centre  by  a  sensory  nerve  and 
is  reflected  from  that  centre  through  a  motor  nerve  and  through 
the  latter  produces  a  muscular  contraction.  There  is  further,  an 
automatic  action,  the  difference  between  which  and  reflex  action, 
it  is  somewhat  diSicult  to  define,  but  perhaps  the  simplest  ex- 
planation is  this,  that  whereas  so-called  reflex  action  is  due  to  some 
impulse  effected  from  without  the  body,  automatic  action  is  due  to 
impulses  effected  within  the  body,  and  without  which  life  and  the 
various  functions  of  the  body  could  not  be  maintained,  such,  for 
instance,  as  respiration,  the  pulsation  of  the  heart,  the  movements 
of  the  alimentary  canal,  the  control  of  the  size  of  the  blood 
vessels,  etc. ;  at  the  same  time  the  principle  of  conduction  is 
much  the  same  in  both,  the  impulses  being  received  at  one  place, 
conveyed  therefrom  b}'  means  of  nerves  to  a  centre  and  reconveyed 
by  another  nerve  to  the  part  to  be  acted  upon;  a  very  familiar 
illustration  of  this  may  be  cited  in  the  act  of  defoecation;  the  feel- 
ing of  necessity  for  relief  is  brought  about  by  the  contact  of  the 
faeces  with  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  lower  intestine  (the 
rectum);  through  the  sensory  nerves  the  impulse  is  conveyed  to 
the  nerve  centre  and  from  thence  to  the  muscles  of  the  rectum  by 
the  motor  nerves,  which  produce  contraction  of  said  muscles  and 
expulsion  of  faeces;  this  illustration,  however,  serves  a  double 
purpose,  first  to  explain  the  meaning  of  automatic  action,  and 
second  that  some  automatic  actions  are  capable  of  restraint  by 
exercise  of  the  will;  this  is  known  as  the  inhibitory  action.  There 
are  reflex  actions  other  than  those  that  affect  the  various  complex 
movements  referred  to,  which  excite  and  set  up  the  peculiar  func- 
tion of  secretion  in  the  glands,  such,  for  instance,  as  the  secretion  of 
saliva,  which  is  excited  by  some  substance  touching  the  tongue  or 
through  the  action  of  the  jaws  in  mastication.  In  attempting  a 
simple  description  of  the  nerve  centres,  they  were  referred  to  as  a 
number  of  telegraph  offices  all  located  under  one  roof  and  com- 
municating with  one  another,  and  that  these  are  represented  by 
the  brain  and  spinal  cord;  some  of  these  offices  or  nerve  centres  are 
located  in  the  brain  and  some  in  the  spinal  cord;  at  the  same  time 
the  inter-communication  between  these  centres  is  maintained  by 
what  are  called  ''paths  of  conduction  "  in  the  spinal  cord;  this  may 


262  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

be  proved  by  dividing  the  cord,  when  the  parts  that  receive  their 
nerve  supply  from  the  portion  below  or  posterior  to  the  division 
are  paralyzed  both  as  to  feeling  and  the  power  to  move,  for  the 
connection  with  the  nerve  centre  which  may  either  be  located  in 
the  brain  or  in  a  part  of  the  cord  above  the  division  is  severed  and 
the  ''path  of  conduction  "  is  broken  up;  the  same  result  transpires 
when  through  an  injury  the  spinal  cord  is  ruptured,  as  does  occur 
sometimes  to  horses  in  the  hunting  field  or  while  running  in  a 
steeplechase;  the  common  method  of  testing  the  seat  of  injury  to 
the  spine  is  to  prick  the  body  and  legs  with  a  sharp  pin;  if  the 
animal  displays  no  sense  of  feeling  in  certain  parts  while  it  evinces 
pain  in  others,  it  is  comparatively  easy  to  determine  approximately 
the  seat  of  injury,  as  well  as  to  come  to  an  authoritative  diagnosis 
with  relation  to  its  extent  and  serious  consequences.  Reference 
has  already  been  made  to  the  inhibito>y  or  restraining  action  of 
some  nerves  and  an  illustration  furnished;  another  instance  may 
be  mentioned  of  a  similar  kind  of  action,  which  has  an  interesting 
bearing  upon  the  consideration  of  certain  difficulties  that  beset  the 
horse  when  called  upon  for  a  supreme  effort  of  speed,  namely,  the 
power  of  restraining  the  beating  of  the  heart  which  is  effected 
when  certain  fibres  of  the  pneumo-gastric  nerve  are  unduly  stim- 
ulated; now,  it  must  be  explained  that  the  pneumo-gastric  nerve 
is  endowed  v^ith  very  complex  functions;  its  centre  is  in  the  brain, 
and  there  it  is  very  intimately  associated  with  two  other  of  the 
cranial  nerves;  among  other  functions,  it  presides  over  the  pro- 
cesses of  digestion  in  the  stomach  and  intestines,  which  it  serves 
to  stimulate;  but  the  branch  that  goes  to  the  heart  exercises  the 
exactly  opposite  (the  inhibitory)  function,  and  according  to  the 
extent  this  branch  is  stimulated,  it  may  either  act  usefully  in  pre- 
venting the  heart  from  beating  too  frequently,  or  it  may  act 
prejudicially  by  arresting  its  action  altogether;  the  point  therefore 
which  is  of  interest  to  the  practical  horseman  is,  that  whereas  the 
pneumo-gastric  nerve  is  endowed  with  the  power  of  producing  two 
exactly  opposite  kinds  of  impulse,  one  branch  going  to  and  acting 
upon  the  digestive  organs,  while  the  other  goes  to  the  heart,  an  ex- 
planation is  furnished  of  how  some  animals  under  peculiar  circum- 
stances are  easily  affected  by  careless  feeding,  or  by  calling  upon 
them  to  perform  work  that  demands  special  fitness  at  times  when 
they  are  totally  unfit  to  make  anything  like  a  violent  effort. 


THE    NERVOUS   SYSTEM.  263 

In  contradistinction  to  the  inhibitory  or  restraining  action  of 
some  nerves  there  is  also  a  provision  in  the  nervous  system  for 
augmentation  or  increase  of  action  in  some  nerve  centres;  this 
provision  is  evidently  intended  by  an  all-wise  Creator  to  counter- 
act difficulties  that  would,  without  it,  otherwise  arise  in  connec- 
tion with  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  as  the  effect  of  such  power 
of  augmentation  is  most  noticeable  by  the  way  in  which  the  cali- 
bre of  blood  vessels  is  regulated;  without  an  extra  stimulus,  at 
times,  the  ordinary  blood  pressure  in  the  vessels  would  be  insuffi- 
cient to  keep  up  the  necessary  regularity  in  the  normal  blood 
supply  to  all  parts;  were  this  counteracting  provision  for  regulat- 
ing the  blood  pressure  unprovided  in  all  probability  some  parts 
would  be  overloaded  and  congested  with  blood,  while  others  would 
be  lacking  and  anaemic. 

Both  inhibition  and  augmentation  in  nerve  action  are  conditions 
which  may  become  unduly  established;  that  is  to  say,  each  par- 
ticular function  after  being  brought  into  action  may  continue 
beyond  the  time  or  period  in  which  it  may  be  useful  or  necessary, 
and  thus  become  a  disease;  the  principle  of  the  regulator  of  a 
watch  somewhat  explains  the  condition  of  affairs;  when  a  time- 
keeper goes  too  fast  and  gains,  the  regulator  iray  be  moved  too 
far  in  the  contrary  direction  and  the  watch  thereafter  loses  time; 
so  long  as  the  regulator  is  allowed  to  remain  in  this  position  the 
losing  of  time  goes  on;  in  like  manner  the  nervous  system  may 
get  out  of  order  and  require  regulating;  a  study  of  the  chapter 
on  the  diseases  of  the  heart,  its  treatment,  and  the  remedies  which 
have  a  special  affinity  for  that  organ,  will  materially  assist  in  over- 
coming the  difficulties  arising  out  of  the  irregularities  in  the  nerv- 
ous system  just  referred  to,  inasmuch  as  having  discovered  the 
totality  of  the  symptoms  and  the  drug  peculiar  to  the  same,  the 
irregularity  which  has  become  established  in  certain  nerve  sup- 
plies will,  under  the  action  of  such  remedy,  speedily  be  corrected 
and  that  frequently  without  the  drug  being  included  in  the  list  of 
so-called  nerve  tonics,  which  is  the  kind  of  treatment  generally 
resorted  to  by  allopaths  for  these  nervous  disorders;  the  matter  of 
chief  importance  for  the  practical  horseman,  who  has  to  depend 
upon  his  own  unaided  powers  of  discrimination  to  discern  condi- 
tions in  an  animal  that  are  frequently  most  difficult  of  recognition, 
is  to  bear  in  mind  that  intimate  relations  exist  between  the  various 


264  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

systems,  and  that  unless  these  relations  are  recognized,  and  allow- 
ances made  accordingly,  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  treatment  can 
be  successful;  the  fact  that  injudicious  feeding,  both  as  to  the 
quality  of  the  food  and  the  time  of  giving  the  same,  may  possibly 
exercise  an  unwarrantable  demand  upon  the  functions  of  the 
nervous  system,  which,  in  its  turn,  avenges  itself  upon  the  heart, 
and  through  that  organ  the  lungs,  points  a  moral  and  teaches  a 
lesson  which  an  intelligent  horseman  should  not  be  slow  to  appre- 
ciate and  put  to  practical  application;  fortunately  for  those  who 
practice  on  homoeopathic  principles,  it  is  not  necessary  to  wait 
until  ever}^  detail  of  the  cause  of  disorder  is  discovered;  the  totality 
of  the  symptoms  furnish  the  guide  to  a  remedy,  but  among  the 
symptoms  must  be  included  those  that  are  observable  through 
careful  examination  of  the  heart  and  how  it  performs  its  functions, 
bearing  in  mind  when  conducting  such  examination,  the  influence 
of  the  nervous  system  over  that  organ.  There  is  still  one  other 
special  action  with  which  the  nervous  system  is  endowed,  namely, 
co-ordination;  to  illustrate  the  meaning  of  this  term  it  is  only 
necessary  to  remind  our  readers  of  the  loss  of  control  which,  under 
given  conditions,  horses  occasionally  experience  over  their  powers 
of  movement;  as  the  attempt  is  made  to  walk  the  animal  rolls 
from  side  to  side,  and  in  extreme  cases  is  unable  to  retain  its  foot- 
ing; this  peculiar  inability  to  control  the  movements  may,  some- 
times be  observed  in  the  disease  commonly  called  "  staggers,''  of 
which  there  ar.e  two  kinds,  or  at  all  events  two  kinds  are  described; 
one  being  considered  due  to  the  brain  and  the  other  to  the  stomach; 
however  this  may  be,  there  is  the  fact  that  under  these  conditions 
the  animal  is  unable  to  perform  the  complex  muscular  movements 
which  the  act  of  walking  requires;  other  illustrations  of  co-ordina- 
tion occur  in  the  acts  of  swallowing  and  coughing,  both  of  which 
acts  call  forth  a  regular  succession  of  muscular  contractions,  one 
after  the  other,  for  their  perfect  performance;  these  complex 
movements  are  governed  by  certain  nerve  centres  located  in  the 
spinal  cord,  where  the  co-ordinating  impulses  are  developed.  This 
brings  us  to  the  conclusion  of  the  consideration  of  the  physiologi- 
cal aspect  of  the  nervous  system;  but  for  the  fact  that  the  subject 
has  such  an  important  bearing,  alike  upon  health  and  disease,  we 
should  have  refrained  from  any  reference  thereto;  it  seemed,  how- 
ever, desirable  to  attempt  to  show  how  the  nervous  system  (albeit 


THE    NERVOUS   SYSTEM.  265 

in  a  very  imperfect  manner)  presides  over  and  keeps  going  the 
other  systems — circulatory,  digestive,  respiratory,  etc. — and  that 
without  it  the  whole  organism  would  come  to  a  standstill;  the  im- 
pression undoubtedly  prevails  in  the  minds  of  leading  veterinarians 
that  primary  disease  of  the  brain,  the  spinal  cord  and  the  nerves, 
is  comparatively  rare  in  the  horse,  and  probably  this  is  so;  seeing 
the  diflSculties  in  the  way  of  recognizing  the  various  morbid  con- 
ditions in  the  human  subject,  and  hence  the  greater  difficulties 
that  must  of  necessit}^  beset  the  veterinarian  to  discern  similar 
conditions  among  the  lower  animals,  it  is  a  matter  of  congratula- 
tion that  diseases  of  the  nervous  system  are  comparative! 3'  rare 
among  our  patients;  nevertheless  we  fully  believe  that  the  entire 
dependence  of  the  other  systems  upon  the  nerves  warrants  the 
conviction  that  the  study  of  the  influence  exerted  by  the  nervous 
system  as  a  factor  in  the  cause  of  disease  among  horses  and  lower 
animals  generally,  demands  far  more  serious  consideration  than  it 
has  5'et  received. 

Before  proceeding  to  the  consideration  of  the  diseases  affecting 
the  different  parts  of  the  nervous  system,  it  is  desirable  for  the 
sake  of  simplicity  and  the  clearer  appreciation  of  the  same, 
that  an  explanation  should  be  given  of  the  parts  that  enter 
into  the  composition  of  this  intricate  and  highly  important 
division  of  animal  life.  The  apparatus  which  provides,  supplies 
and  conveys  all  over  the  bod}-  that  excitation  which  is  requisite 
for  the  execution  of  all  the  acts  and  functions  that  are  indispens- 
able for  the  maintenance  of  life,  is  divided  into  two  parts,  namely: 
the  cerebro-spi7ial  axis,  which  consists  of  the  brain  and  spinal  cord, 
and  the  nerves,  which  are  given  off  on  either  .side  of  the  central 
axis  and  therefrom  distributed  to  all  parts  of  the  body.  The 
brain  and  spinal  cord  are  both  enveloped,  for  the  sake  of  protec- 
tion, in  a  bony  case  called  the  cranial  cavity  (or  skull)  and  the 
spinal  canal  (or  vertebrae);  in  addition  to  these  there  are  three 
membranes  called  the  meninges,  which  serve  to  separate  the  soft 
nervous  substance  from  this  hard,  bony  case;  the  outer  membrane 
serves  as  a  lining  to  the  bony  case  and  is  called  the  "  dura  mater;'' 
the  inner  membrane,  which  is  closely  adherent  to  the  outer  sur- 
face of  the  cord  and  brain,  is  called  the  " pia  mater;''  while  the 
middle  membrane  consists  of  two  layers,  one  covering  the  outer 
portion  of  the  pia  mater  and  the  other  the  inner  part  of  the  dura. 


266  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

mater,  which  is  known  as  the  ^^  arachnoid;''  between  the  two 
layers  of  the  arachnoid,  and  therefore  intervening  between  the 
pia  viatcr  and  the  dicra  maier,  a  particular  serous  fluid  is  present; 
the  object  of  this  fluid  is  probably  to  diminish  concussion  and 
generally  to  afford  protection  for  the  soft,  delicate  material  of  the 
brain  and  cord  and  prevent  injury  thereto  that  might  otherwise 
attend  the  jar  against  the  hard,  bony  case.  In  respect  of  the 
nerves,  it  may  be  stated  broadly  that  they  arise  from  certain  recog- 
nized centres  in  the  brain  and  spinal  cord,  and  pass  out  of  the 
cranial  cavity  and  spinal  canal  in  pairs  through  special  openings 
(or  foramina)  and  proceed  therefrom  to  their  particular  destina- 
tions to  be  distributed  over  the  whole  body ;  of  the  cranial  nerves 
there  are  twelve  pairs;  and  the  spinal  nerves  are  estimated  at  forty- 
two  pairs.  The  three  membranes  already  described  as  the  dura 
mater,  the  arachnoid  and  the  pia  mater  will  in  the  future  be  re- 
ferred to  conjointly  as  the  meninges,  it  not  being  necessary  to  dif- 
ferentiate between  them  when  treating  of  them  in  the  inflamma- 
tory conditions  affecting  them  in  the  various  forms  of  disease  in 
which  they  are  complicated;  but  it  was  deemed  desirable  to  explain 
how  and  of  what  the  meninges  are  composed,  as  they  occupy  a 
rather  considerable  and  important  position  in  some  disease  con- 
ditions affecting  the  brain  and  cord. 

INFLAMMATION  OF    BRAIN  SUBSTANCES— CEREBRI- 

TIS— INFLAMMATION  OF  THE    MENINGES— 

MENINGITIS. 

Although  the  true  brain  substance  and  the  brain  coverings  may 
under  certain  conditions  be  independently  the  seat  of  inflamma- 
tion it  is  rare  to  meet  with  a  case  in  the  horse  where,  either  at  the 
outset  or  as  an  ultimate  development,  both  parts  are  not  affected, 
and  this  is  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  the  disease  is  generally 
due  to  a  cause  that  necessitates  their  joint  implication;  injury  as 
the  result  of  external  violence  or  some  abnormal  prominence  in 
the  cranial  bones  accounts  most  frequently  for  these  cerebral  in- 
flammations; they  may  arise  in  some  instances  from  exposure  to 
the  overpowering  rays  of  a  tropical  sun,  or  in  connection  with  a 
specific  fever,  but  in  the  hor.se  this  is  of  rare  occurrence.  It  will 
therefore  be  seen  that  whether  the  inflammation  hz  due  to  violence 
from  without  or  injury  from  within  the  cranial  cavity  as  the  result 


INFLAMMATION    OF   ERAIN   SUBSTANCES.  267 

of  an  unduly  prominent  bone  the  effect  will  in  the  end  be  much 
the  same;  not  only  will  the  meninges  participate  in  the  damage, 
but  the  true  brain  substance  also.  The  distinctive  characteristics 
of  the  cerebral  and  meningeal  structures  under  the  influence  of 
inflammation  are  set  forth  very  clearly  by  the  late  Professor 
Robertson  in  his  work  entitled  '''Equine  Medicine,'''  in  the  fol- 
lowing terms:  "  When  the  membranes  are  primarily  affected  there 
is  suddenness  in  development  of  symptoms,  local  congestion,  ex- 
citement with  muscular  spasms  or  convulsions,  succeeded  by  sub- 
sidence or  arrest  of  normal  nervous  activity.  Invasion  of  the  true 
cerebral  structure,  on  the  other  hand,  is  less  active  in  develop- 
ment of  symptoms,  is  marked  by  no  frenzy  or  excitement,  but 
from  the  first  exhibits  lowered  or  depressed  functional  activity  and 
impairment  at  the  outset  of  some  special  nerve  function.  In  the 
early  stages  of  inflammation  of  the  cerebral  structures  in  all  ani- 
mals during  which  there  is  much  muscular  derangement,  and  par- 
ticularly when  the  meninges  seem  more  largely  the  seat  of  this 
morbid  action  there  is  very  likely  to  be  excitement,  delirium  or 
convulsions.  The  severity  of  these  will  be  determined  by  the 
extent  of  tissue  invaded.  This  hyperactivity  of  cerebral  function 
is  not  constant  or  continuous,  but  paroxysmal  in  character,  liable 
to  be  brought  on  or  seriously  augmented  by  an}'  untoward  nois2 
or  disturbance  to  which  the  animal  may  be  subject.  The  consti- 
tutional fever  is  well  marked,  the  temperature  raised,  skin  and 
mouth  perceptibly  hotter  than  natural;  there  seems  pain  in  the 
head,  which  the  animal  cannot  bear  to  have  roughly  handled;  the 
eyes  are  staring  and  bloodshot,  with  pupils  contracted;  the  pulse 
frequent  and  hard  or  sharp;  respiration  irregular  and  .sometimes 
accompanied  with  a  moan;  bowels  confined.  The  animal  is  rest- 
less and  uneasy,  moving  from  side  to  side  or  around  his  box,  the 
body  sometimes  damp  with  perspiration.  Occasionally  muscular 
twitchings  and  general  or  local  hypersethesia  are  symptoms  well 
marked.  Succeeding  this  stage  of  increased  nerv^ous  irritability  and 
vascular  excitement,  which  is  generalh'  short-lived,  is  that  of 
nervous  aberration  and  depression,  indicative  of  more  extensive 
involvement  of  the  true  nerve  structures.  The  fever  subsides, 
the  temperature  of  the  body  is  lower,  the  pulse  diminishes  in  fre- 
quency, is  less  sharp  or  hard;  the  breathing  becomes  stertorous, 
the  delirium  or  excitability  gradually  declines,  and  special  sensa- 


268  VKTERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

tion  is  lessened,  until  consciousness  is  lost  in  coma  more  or  less 
perfect.  With  the  subsidence  of  the  restlessness  the  horse  will,  if 
capable  of  maintaining  the  standing  posture,  do  so  listlessly  in 
one  position,  the  head  lowered,  the  ej^es  glassy,  with  pupils  dilated, 
while  control  over  voluntary  movement  is  much  disturbed.  The 
disposition  lo  preserve  the  position  of  the  limbs  as  they  may  be 
placed  is  not  unlike  the  condition  which  prevails  in  catalepsy. 
From  the  commencement  the  appetite  is  capricious  and  the  dis- 
charge from  kidneys  and  bowels'  less  in  amount  than  natural. 
The  partial  muscular  twitchings  or  general  convulsions  are  not 
present  in  every  case  and  usually  most  attractive  as  the  termina- 
tion is  approached.  At  this  period  the  animal  is  almost  certain, 
unless  carefully  watched,  to  do  itself  injury  by  violent  and  uncon- 
scious tossing. ' ' 

Treatment. — Arnica  ix. — When  the  disease  can  be  traced  to 
external  injuries  this  remedy  should  be  administered  four  times  a 
day  at  intervals  of  four  hours;  and  compresses  soaked  in  a  lotion  of 
the  mother  tincture,  one  part  to  four  of  distilled  water,  constantly 
applied. 

CEREBRO-SPINAL  MENINGITIS. 

Nervous  diseases  affecting  the  horse  are,  we  must  admit,  very 
obscure,  so  far  as  our  knowledge  of  them  is  concerned;  at  the 
same  time  we  are  satisfied  that  however  we  may  attempt  to 
account  for  it,  cases  of  this  kind  are  far  less  numerous  among 
the  lower  orders  of  animals  than  in  the  human  subject,  and  under 
the  circumstances  there  is  cause  for  congratulation  that  it  is  so. 
The  disease,  which  we  now  propose  to  consider  is  generally  in- 
cluded in  works  upon  equine  medicine  under  the  hea.d  of  general 
disorders,  but  inasmuch  as  it  owes  it  origin  to  and  distinctly 
affects  this  group  of  organs,  we  feel  justified  in  including  it  under 
the  list  of  diseases  of  the  nervous  system  proper.  We  believe  we 
are  correct  in  stating  that  some  years  ago  an  outbreak  of  what 
was  described  as  cerebro- spinal  fever  took  place  in  New  York,  and 
carried  off  quite  a  considerable  number  of  animals,  and  it  was  at 
that  time  looked  upon  as  a  true  specific  fever;  but  we  are  not 
aware  that  any  positive  opinion  was  arrived  at  as  to  its  precise 
pathology,  nor  were  the  actual  relations  between  the  severe  symp- 
toms exhibited  and  the  changes  which  post  mortem  were  observed 


CEREBRO-SPINAL   MKNINGITIS.  269 

ill  the  brain  and  cord  satisfactorily  cleared  up;  this,  however,  is  a 
matter  of  far  less  importance  to  the  homoeopathist  than  to  the 
allopath,  as  he  depends  upon  the  symptoms  a  case  presents  dur- 
ing life  rather  than  to  any  knowledge  of  changes  that  are  going 
on  as  the  result  of  the  disease;  for  this  cause  we,  as  homoeopaths, 
do  not  find  ourselves  beset  with  the  same  difficulties  in  attempting 
treatment  of  obscure  diseases  that  the  allopaths  do.  It  is  not  at 
all  clear  what  accounts  for  this  form  of  fever,  though  by  some  it 
is  attributed  to  dietetic  errors,  while  others  account  for  its  pres- 
ence by  climatic  disturbances;  certainly  the  facts  that  frequently 
quite  a  number  of  horses  are  attacked  at  one  and  the  same  time, 
and  that  the  outbreaks " are  only  occasional,  but  when  they  do 
arise  come  suddenh',  point  rather  to  climatic  influences  than  to 
dietetic  errors;  but  whatever  may  be  the  cause  it  does  not  seem  to 
us  that  this  has  much  bearing  upon  the  treatment.  First  we  will 
deal  with  the  Symptoms  presented:  Suddenness  is  characteristic 
of  the  disease;  the  horse  loses  all  power  of  control  over  his  move- 
ments; falls  to  the  ground  without  any  apparent  reason,  intima- 
tion being  given  but  a  few  moments  prior  to  going  down  by 
giddiness  and  staggering;  when  down  the  horse  struggles  vio- 
lently and  makes  frequent  ineffectual  attempts  to  rise;  sweat 
breaks  out  over  different  parts  of  the  body  and  literally  pours  off 
the  animal;  the  pulse  and  respirations  are  rapid,  urgent  and 
irregular,  there  being  no  relation  between  one  and  the  other,  as 
there  is  in  health  and  in  many  diseased  conditions;  the  horse  is 
extremely  sensitive,  and  muscular  spasms  affect  him  in  various 
parts  of  the  body,  contracting  and  relaxing  with  great  apparent 
force;  the  eyes  have  a  wild  and  staring  look,  and  the  animal 
throws  its  head  about  with  great  violence;  the  visible  raucous 
membranes,  especially  of  the  eyes,  are  extremely  red  and  injected. 
Unless  the  disease  centres  its  force  almost  entirely  on  the  brain, 
the  horse  cannot  bear  to  have  any  pressure  upon  the  spinal  col- 
umn. Constipation  usually  sets  in  early;  the  urine  is  passed  with 
difficulty  and  at  varjdng  periods.  The  temperature  changes 
remarkably;  at  one  time  of  the  day  it  will  be  found  considerably 
elevated,  at  another  almost  down  to  the  normal,  nor  is  there  any 
specified  time  when  these  alterations  take  place. 

Treatment. — In  the  first  place  it  is  important  to  have  the 
animal  placed  in  a  quiet  and  roomy  box,  away  from  other  horses. 


270  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

and  apart  from  the  attention  of  his  nurse,  should  be  allowed  to 
remain  as  undisturbed  as  possible. 

Aclea  mccmosa  ix  is  specially  indicated  for  sharp  muscular 
spasms  and  great  restlessness;  and  when  the  symptoms  already 
referred  to  as  affecting  the  eyes  and  the  urine  are  present,  these 
only  confirm  its  usefulness;  when  a  horse  is  in  the  condition 
which  this  remedy  covers,  it  is  a  critical  period,  and  to  have  a 
medicine  at  hand  that  is  capable  of  alleviating  these  symptoms  is 
a  matter  of  the  first  importance. 

Ciciita  virosa  3X. — This  remedy  goes  farther  in  its  effects  than 
the  previous  one,  as  it  not  only  meets  those  cases  that  have  spas- 
modic twitchings,  but  also  the  paralytic  symptoms;  a  horse  is 
down  and  cannot  rise  in  consequence  of  the  paralyzed  condition  of 
hind  quarters,  give  him  this  remedy  and  you  will  probably  find 
that  he  is  soon  able  to  get  up;  in  many  cases  that  have  died  from 
this  disease  the  post  mortem  examinations  have  revealed  hyperse- 
mia  (excess  of  blood)  of  the  brain  and  cord;  the  same  condition 
presents  itself  in  animals  poisoned  by  this  drug;  to  this  extent, 
therefore,  pathology  and  pathogenesy  agre(^ 

Cupyum  accticiim  3X  is  a  splendid  remedy  to  steady  muscles 
that  have  been  the  subjects  of  spasmodic  twitchings,  in  addition 
to  which  paralysis,  particularly  when  centred  upon  the  right  side 
and  in  the  fore  limb,  is  amenable  in  a  remarkable  manner  to  its 
action ;  this  remedy  exercises  a  potent  influence  upon  the  brain 
while  at  the  same  time  a  post-mortem  examination  reveals  no 
organic  mischief;  a  further  indication  of  its  usefulness  in  the  dis- 
order may  be  gleaned  from  the  symptom  already  referred  to  of 
scanty  urine. 

Ipecacuanha  <■>. — Dr.  Hughes,  in  his  Pharmacodynamics,  when 
referring  to  the  action  of  this  drug  on  the  nervous  system,  states: 
' '  What  amount  of  direct  action  Ipecacuanha  exerts  on  the  nervous 
system  in  health  is  uncertain.  But  it  has  found  an  occasional  place 
in  the  treatment  of  neurotic  affections  in  both  schools  of  medicine, 
as  may  be  seen  in  Dr.  Imbert-Gourbeyre's  collection.  I  can  speak 
only  of  cerebro-spinal  meningitis  and  of  intermittent  fever.  In  an 
epidemic  of  the  former  disease  occurring  at  Avignon  in  1846-7 
Dr.  Bachet  was  led  to  Ipecacuanha  as  the  medicine  most  similar  to 
the  symptoms  present,  and  he  gave  it  (in  the  mother  tincture)  in 
every  case  with  such  great  relative  success  that  it  was  appropriated 


TETANUS — LOCKJAW.  271 

(of  course  without  acknowledgement)  by  the  practitioners  of  the 
old  school  in  the  place,  and  ranked  as  a  specific." 

Veratnim  viride  3X  is  another  agent  which,  after  administration 
to  the  healthy  in  poisonous  doses,  produces  hyperaemia  of  the  brain 
and  cord;  among  its  chief  symptoms  are  muscular  spasms  and  con- 
tortions. Dr.  Hale,  of  Chicago,  esteems  it  highly  under  such  con- 
ditions, and  compares  its  action  to  those  of  Aconite  and  Belladonna 
conjoined.  The  pulse  is  a  full,  bounding  one,  and  the  tongue  is 
coated  with  yellow  fur  at  the  sides,  having  a  red  streak  down  the 
middle. 

TETANUS— LOCKJAW 

Is  a  disease  of  the  nervous  system  that  is  characterized  by  a  con- 
tinuous spasm  of  certain  muscles,  generally  in  the  horse,  those  of 
the  face;  it  certainly  does  at  times  affect  other  groups  of  muscles 
about  the  body,  as  in  the  case  of  the  neck,  when  the  head  is 
drawn  upward  and  backward;  of  the  body  generally  when  the 
tendency  is  to  bend  forwards;  or  of  one  side,  when  the  effect  is  to 
draw  the  whole  animal  to  one  side. 

The  most  recent  studies  of  pathology  have  led  the  members  of 
the  old  school  to  ascribe  the  disease  to  a  specific  organism;  but  as 
the  larger  number  of  cases  in  the  horse  seem  to  be  the  result  of 
some  mechanical  injury,  such  as  a  prick  in  shoeing  or  a  surgical 
operation,  it  is  difficult  for  us  to  accept  the  microbe  theory;  our 
belief  is,  that  these  microbes  are  to  be  found  in  any  and  every 
form  of  disease,  and  our  faith  in  their  absolute  powers  of  disease 
production  receives  a  considerable  shock  when  we  come  to  try  to 
account  for  the  production  of  a  disease  which  as  a  rule  seems  to 
depend  on  such  a  cause  as  mechanical  injury,  like  the  one  now 
under  consideration,  and  the  question  at  once  arises  in  the  mind, 
is  this  theory  deserving  of  serious  consideration  in  any  form  of 
disease?  We  find  the  other  school  of  medicine  admitting  that 
symptoms  similar  to  those  of  tetanus  can  be  produced  in  the 
healthy  animal  by  the  administration  of  Strychnine — which  is  one 
of  the  remedies  used  by  homoeopathists  to  cure  tetanus — therefore 
we  agree  that  though  microbes  may  be  discovered  in  the  blood  of 
a  tetanic  subject,  there  are  causes  other  than  the  microbe  produces 
to  account  for  the  development  of  tetanus;  and  further,  we  are  of 
opinion  that  whether  recognized  or  not  at  the  time,  some  injury, 


272  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

known  or  vmknown,  is  invariably  the  fons  et  origo  of  all  cases  of 
tetanus;  this  may  strike  some  as  an  illogical  argument;  we  cannot 
help  that;  our  faith  remains  the  same,  and  it  is  rendered  the  more 
firm  in  this  direction  by  the  evident  relation,  pathogenetically  and 
therapeutically,  of  certain  drugs  which  have  the  power  of  produc- 
ing on  the  healthy  exactly  similar  symptoms  to  those  presented  in 
a  true  case  of  tetanus,  and  their  capacity  to  cure  the  disease  when 
it  occurs  in  a  patient. 

Although  the  term  tetanus  may  refer  to  spasm  and  rigidity  of 
any  of  the  voluntary  muscles  of  the  body,  it  is  more  generally 
applied  to  those  of  the  face  and  neck  of  the  horse,  in  which  situ- 
ation the  morbid  affection  is  mostly  observed;  through  the  rigidity 
of  the  muscles  of  the  face,  the  jaws  are  closed,  hence  the  charac- 
teristic terra  lockjaw.  It  would  seem  that  a  good  warrant  exists 
for  the  accepted  idea  that  the  muscles  of  deglutition  are  the  first 
to  experience  an  impression  of  a  coming  seizure,  as  one  of  the 
earliest  symptoms  observable  is  an  irritable  champing  and  grind- 
ing of  the  teeth,  while  at  the  same  time  saliva  is  rather  profusely 
secreted,  which  drips  from  the  corners  of  the  mouth,  the  position 
of  the  head  is  almost  invariably  alike  in  all  cases,  the  nose 
being  poked  out  so  that  the  angle  of  the  jaw  is  a  decidedly  obtuse 
one;  the  muscles  of  the  back  of  the  neck  become  rigid,  renderings 
the  protrusion  of  the  nose  a  more  marked  feature.  Further, 
another  essentially  characteristic  symptom  is  the  spasmodic  move- 
ment of  the  membrane,  provided  by  nature  to  wipe  the  surface  of 
the  eyeball,  termed  the  membrana  niditans;  in  ordinary  health 
this  fine  membrane  is  never  seen,  being  located  beyond  ordinary 
observation  within  the  inner  canthus  of  the  e3^e,  and  only  when  a 
foreign  substance  alights  upon  the  eye  is  it  projected  with  great 
rapidity  over  the  anterior  surface  for  its  removal;  when,  however, 
a  horse  is  the  subject  of  tetanus  it  frequently  protrudes  beyond  its 
normal  situation  and  flashes  itself  more  or  less  frequently  within 
the  line  of  natural  observation.  The  nostrils  are  very  much 
dilated  and  the  rate  of  breathing  very  much  accelerated;  the  pulse 
and  temperature  are  variously  affected,  one  case  exhibiting  much 
greater  sensibility  than  another;  when  the  muscles  of  the  body  are 
affected  those  of  the  back  will  feel  rigid  and  hard,  while  the  tail 
goes  through  a  continuous  series  of  spasmodic  twitchings;  the 
animal  stands  with  his  legs  much  farther  apart  from  one  another 


TETANUS — LOCKJAW.  273 

than  is  usual  in  health,  and  can  only  move  a  few  steps  at  a  time 
with  the  greatest  diflSculty.  From  the  character  of  the  breathing 
and  the  general  appearance  of  the  countenance  an  impression  is 
conveyed  that  the  animal  suffers  acuteh^  a  view  that  bacomes  con- 
firmed when,  as  is  often  the  case,  perspiration  is  very  profuse;  if 
the  animal  is  beyond  the  reach  of  relief,  the  pulse,  which  may  in 
the  earlier  stages  have  been  firm,  as  death  draws  near  becomes 
more  rapid  and  decidedly  feeble,  and  overpowering  exhaustion  is 
but  too  plainly  evident. 

Treatment. — To  prevent  the  administration  of  medicinal 
agents  from  being  absolutely  useless  there  is  one  precaution  that 
must  be  observed  most  strictly;  the  more  perfect  the  silence  in 
the  box  or  stable  and  the  more  completely  quiet  prevails  in  the 
immediate  precincts,  the  better  for  the  patient;  but  it  is  absolutely 
a  sine-qua-non  that  the  man  who  attends  the  horse  should  move 
about  in  the  quietest  and  most  deliberate  manner  possible;  the 
stable  should  be  darkened;  the  door  must  be  opened  and  shut 
without  any  noise,  and  strictly  abstain  from  shouting  or  even 
talking,  any  deviation  from  this  line  of  conduct  is  calculated  to 
aggravate  the  spasms  and  paroxysms  of  pain  and  thus  retard  a  pos- 
sible recovery.  From  a  medicinal  standpoint  we  have  known  many 
cases  cured  absolutely  and  alone  by  Aconite  ix,  more  especially  in 
cases  that  can  be  distinctly  traced  to  undue  exposure  to  cold,  or 
to  sudden  shock  from  a  local  injur}-;  Henry  Edgar,  Esq.,  M.  R. 
C.  V.  S.,  of  Wan.stead,  in  Essex,  has  reported  several  cases  very 
successfully  treated  with  Aconite;  while  we  have  personally  had 
the  satisfaction  of  seeing  three  very  decided  cases  make  excellent 
recov^eries  under  the  action  of  this  remedy. 

Strychnia  3X.  This  powerful  drug  is  credited  wnth  being  thor- 
oughly en  rapport  with  tetanus  when  the  same  owes  its  origin  to 
traumatic  causes.  Dr.  Hughes  affirms  ' '  the  homoeopathicit}'  of 
-Strychnia  to  tetanus  needs  no  demonstration.  It  is  one  of  those 
facts  which  go  to  prove  the  fundamental  character  of  the  law  of 
similars,  since  we  see  nature  herself  making  provision  for  its  ap- 
plication. Now  Dr.  Stille  cites  (as  I  have  mentioned)  eight  cases 
of  the  traumatic  form  of  the  disease  in  which  its  use  was  followed 
by  cure. ' '  We  have  relied  more  frequently  upon  this  agent  than 
any  other,  and,  as  a  rule,  though  not  invariably,  with  success. 

Acid  hydrocyanic  3X;  doses  not  to  exceed  Jive  drops;  if  Aconite 
18 


274  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

fails  this  agent  may  usefully  be  employed,  especially  in  the  more 
acute  cases,  when  the  spasms  are  violent  and  attended  by  intervals 
of  specially  marked  exhaustion.  We  are  not  able  to  offer  any 
well-defined  indications  which  will  enable  one  to  differentiate  be- 
tween these  remedies. 

In  administering  medicine  the  attendant  must  exercise  great 
caution  not  to  alarm  or  startle  his  patient,  and  must  show  unmis- 
takeable  forbearance  and  patience;  if  the  horse  is  able  to  swallow, 
the  homoeopathic  remedies,  being  capable  of  administration  in 
small  quantities  of  water  as  a  vehicle,  can  be  gently  introduced  to 
the  back  of  the  mouth  by  using  a  syringe  for  the  purpose;  or  if 
that  is  not  practicable  the  drops  be  mixed  in  a  teaspoonful  of 
glycerine  and  thence  laid  on  the  tongue;  if  this  also  is  impractica- 
ble by  reason  of  the  close  proximity  of  the  teeth,  then  a  rather 
larger  dose,  half  as  much  again,  must  be  injected  well  up  the 
rectum. 

The  horse  should,  as  a  rule,  be  put  into  slings  at  the  outset  of 
the  attack,  unless  there  is  reason  to  conclude  from  previous  exper- 
ience that  it  will  annoy  or  irritate  the  animal. 

Ice  enclosed  in  muslin  bags  should  be  applied  down  the  course 
of  the  spinal  column  and  kept  in  position  by  means  of  long  tapes 
tied  round  the  abdomen,  unless  made  sufficiently  large  to  lie  where 
placed  without  shaking  off;  when  removed  a  soft  hor.se  cloth 
should  be  thrown  loosely  over  the  body  to  check  a  possible  chill 
from  the  melted  ice  running  over  the  sides.  One  of  the  chief  diffi- 
culties that  one  has  to  contend  with  in  a  case  of  this  sort  is  to 
induce  the  animal  to  take  any  nourishment;  under  no  circum- 
.stances  is  food  taken  freely,  therefore  when  presented  it  should  be 
of  a  nourishing  character  and  in  concentrated  form,  such  also  as 
will  check  any  tendency  to  constipation;  eggs  beaten  up  in  new 
milk;  beef  tea,  etc.,  etc.;  if  it  is  not  partaken  of  voluntarily  and 
the  exercise  of  force  to  introduce  it  by  the  mouth  is  calculated  to 
upset  the  horse,  then  an  effort  must  be  quietlj'  and  gentlj'  made 
by  means  of  the  enema  pump  to  introduce  a  substantial  quantity 
per  rectum. 

The  frequency  of  the  dose  depends  a  good  deal  upon  the  severity 
of  the  attack,  the  intervals  ranging  from  one  to  three  hours;  as 
infrequently  as  possible  is  our  advice  in  order  to  avoid  unneces- 
sary disturbance. 


CHOREA.  275 

CHOREA. 

The  common  and  well-known  term  by  which  this  form  of  disease 
is  designated  in  the  human  subject  is  "St.  Vitus'  Dance,"  and 
although  it  is  probable  that  while  it  is  correct  pathologically  to 
speak  of  the  nervous  disturbances  of  the  muscular  system,  which 
provoke  the  abnormal  conditions  known  among  horsemen  as 
"  shivering  "  and  "  stri^ighalt,"'  among  those  classified  under  the 
general  head  chorea  the  symptoms  are  not  identical  with  those 
observed  either  in  man  or  dog.  Whether  it  is  the  brain  or  the 
spinal  cord  that  is  principally  affected,  or  which  of  these  localities 
of  the  nervous  system  is  the  seat  of  the  disturbance  that  produces 
these  peculiar  manifestations  in  the  horse  has  not  been  definiteh^ 
decided  by  pathologists,  therefore  we  shall  not  attempt  to  discuss 
the  question.  In  man  and  in  dogs  the  choreic  spasms,  whatever 
limb  or  part  of  the  body  they  may  effect  are  as  a  rule  fairly  con- 
tinuous, but  in  the  horse  that  is  a  "  shiverer'''  this  is  not  the  case; 
and  for  this  reason  there  is  the  greater  necessity,  when  buying  a 
perfectly  strange  horse,  to  avail  of  every  well  known  test  to  dis- 
cover whether  or  no  there  is  any  tendency  to  this  disease;  this 
remark  applies  especially  to  horses  of  the  heavier  breeds,  among 
which  it  is  most  commonly  observed.  Stringhalt,  however,  once 
developed  is  constant,  and  there  need  be  little  fear  of  deception 
from  that  source;  with  regard  to  its  influence  upon  the  usefulness 
of  ahorse  there  is  a  marked  difference;  a  "  shiverer''  is  to  all 
intents  and  purposes  a  useless  animal  for  draught  w^ork;  the 
animal  may  be  able  to  move  forward  fairly  well,  but  when  it 
comes  to  backing  it  is  a  different  thing  altogether;  strange  to 
say,  however,  though  patent  to  the  observation  of  the  greatest 
novice,  ''  stringhaW  does  not  seem  to  effect  a  horse's  useful- 
ness; we  have  known  many  horses  that  were  the  subjects  of  these 
peculiar  muscular  spasms,  that  worked  regularly  with,  apparently, 
no  difficult}' ;  one  case  being  that  of  a  well  known  hunter  whose 
owner  rode  him  regularly  ever\'  week  to  hounds  and  was  as  a  rule 
among  the  first  flight  and  that  in  a  close  country  where  the  jumps 
were  numerous  and  the  fences  frequently  awkward.  It  is  not 
necessary  to  make  reference  to  the  symptoms  of  stringhalt  it  is  so 
well  known,  but  some  notice  must  be  taken  of  those  that  indicate 
' '  shiverinz. ' ' 


276  VETERINARY   HOMCEOPATHY. 

Symptoms. — Among  the  muscles  of  the  loins  and  thighs,  oc- 
casional and  sometimes  constant  twitching  are  observable;  those 
muscles  which  enable  the  horse  to  raise  its  tail  are  effected  when 
the  animal  is  in  the  act  of  drinking.  Very  occasionally  the 
muscles  of  the  neck,  shoulders  and  arms  are  affected. 

When  called  upon  to  move  the  affected  limbs  are  generally  lifted 
from  the  ground  with  an  unusually  sharp,  snatchy  action,  while 
on  putting  them  down  greater  caution  is  observed  than  by  a 
healthy  animal.  If  the  horse  is  turned  quickly  from  one 
side  to  the  other,  it  seems  to  lose  control  temporarily  over  its 
movement;  and  if  forced  to  back  immobility  will  be  very  apparent 
either  by  a  decided  refusal  to  move,  by  helplessly  dragging  the 
affected  limbs  along  without  lifting  from  the  ground  at  all,  or  by 
snatching  them  up  very  spasmodically  and  putting  them  down 
very  cautiously;  at  the  same  time  the  tremulous  twitching  of  the 
tail  will  be  noticeable.  Walking  or  trotting  in  a  forward  direction 
rarely  discovers  any  peculiarity  and  avails  nothing  in  an  examina- 
tion as  to  soundness. 

Treatment  of  either  of  these  forms  of  nervous  disease  is  very 
uncertain  and  as  a  rule  productive  of  little  benefit;  still,  if  one  has 
a  horse  in  his  possession  that  develops  either  of  these  morbid  con- 
ditions, it  will  be  worth  while  to  make  an  experiment  with  one  or 
more  remedies  to  be  indicated. 

lonatia  ix  in  those  cases  wherein  the  symptoms  are  easily 
aggravated  by  being  startled  or  frightened. 

Agaricits  muscarius  0. — Twitchings  cease  when  at  rest. 

Cuprum  mctallicum  3X. — Spasms  extremely  severe,  indicating 
deep-seated  disease — and  structural  change  in  the  nerve  centres. 

Arsenicum  album  3X. — Symptoms  worse  at  night;  restlessness, 
weakness;  when  brought  on  by  work;  comes' on  periodically; 
constitutionally  impoverished. 

Zinc  sulphate  3X. — When  produced  by  injury  or  is  the  sequel 
to  some  exhausting  disease. 

PARALYSIS. 

This  condition  is  somewhat  rare  in  the  horse,  though  there  are 
several  forms  in  which  it  is  occasionally  observed;  on  account  of 
its  infrequency  we  shall  confine  ourselves  to  a  consideration  of 
those  particular  forms  of  the  disease  which  are  met  with  the  most 


PARALYSIS.  277 

often.  We  have  to  deal  with  .ca.ses  of  general  paralysis  wherein 
both  fore  and  hind  Hmbs  are  aflfected;  with  hemiplegia  or  one- 
sided paralysis  in  which  both  fore  and  hind  limbs  of  one  side  only 
are  implicated;  with  paraplegia  in  which  either  the  near  fore  and 
and  off  hind  limbs  or  vice  versa  are  affected,  the  result  being  that 
we  have  a  bilateral  disturbance  to  deal  with;  and  local  paralysis, 
a  condition  but  rarely  seen,  but  when  it  does  occur,  appears  to 
affect  the  lips,  facial  muscles,  larynx,  penis,  tail  or  rectum. 
When  general  paralysis  takes  place  it  seems  to  be  due  to  an 
affection  of  the  brain,  such  as  might  supervene  upon  injuries, 
as  a  fall  in  the  hunting  field  or  during  a  steeplechase.  Hemiplegia 
or  one-sided  paralysis  is  probably  the  rarest  form  of  the  disease 
that  occurs  in  the  horse;  but  when  it  does  arise  the  angle  of  the 
mouth  appears  to  feel  the  full  force  of  the  attack;  the  lips  on  the 
affected  side  hang  pendulous  and  the  animal  can  neither  take  up 
food  or  water  in  consequence.  When  called  upon  to  move  the 
animal  is  inclined  to  bear  towards  the  affected  side,  and  if  left  to 
itself  would  soon  walk  in  a  circle,  as  going  straight  ahead  seems  to 
be  out  of  the  question;  the  limbs  on  the  opposite  side  to  the  lesion 
of  the  brain  are  the  ones  that  fail  to  do  their  duty. 

Paraplegia,  or  transverse  loss  of  power  is  the  form  most  gener- 
ally seen  in  the  horse;  among  the  causes  to  which  it  is  due  we 
have  to  enumerate  injuries  to  the  brain  and  spinal  cord  from  frac- 
tures of  the  vertebrae  or  spicules  of  bone  in  the  cranium;  a  dis- 
eased condition  of  the  ner\-e  substance  of  the  cord;  a  lack  of 
nutrition  of  the  nerve  centres  through  the  blood;  and  reflex  irrita- 
tion from  some  foreign  agent  such  as  of  worms,  in  the  intestines. 

Local  paralysis  is  generally  due  to  some  direct  injury  upon  the 
affected  organ  or  part  of  the  body — probably  the  most  frequently 
observed  development  takes  place  in  the  muscles  of  the  face,  due 
as  it  is  considered  to  some  impairment  of  the  functional  powers  of 
the  port  to  dura  nerve;  the  indications  of  the  existence  of  this  form 
of  paralysis  are  observed  in  the  lips  and  mouth  generally,  affect- 
ing not  only  the  powers  of  prehension,  but  also  those  of  mastica- 
tion; the  latter  symptom  distinguishes  local  paralysis  from  hemi- 
plegia, so  far  as  the  muscles  of  the  face  are  concerned. 

Treatment. — Causlicmn  ix.  In  paralysis  of  the  lips,  face  and 
larynx  this  remed}^  has  acquired  considerable  reputation,  not  only 
among  men,  but  animals  also;  as  Dr.  Hughes  points  out,  a  lead- 


278  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

ing  symptom  for  this  remedy  is  that  of  involuntary  emission  of 
urine  when  a  paralytic  patient  coughs. 

Conium  3X  in  paralysis  of  the  penis  due  to  excessive  coitus^ 
such  as  that  which  occasionally  arises  in  stallions  when  they  have 
served  too  many  mares  within  a  short  period  of  time. 

Argentum  7iitricum  3X  in  paraplegia  due  to  a  fall  in  the  hunt- 
ing field,  the  horse  having  pitched  on  to  his  head  in  landing  over 
a  big  fence. 

Belladonyia  3X  in  paraplegia  where  the  animal  loses  control  over 
his  movements;  this  remedy  should  be  used  in  the  early  stages  of 
the  disease,  especially  when  the  whites  of  the  eye  are  injected, 
red  streaks  appear  thereupon,  and  the  pupils  are  dilated;  inability 
to  bold  water  and  considerable  excitement  are  confirmatory 
symptoms. 

LAMENESS. 

The  detection  of  the  seat  of  lameness  is  not  nearly  so  easy  as 
many  men  who  claim  to  have  a  fair  knowledge  of  horses  and  their 
ailments  seem  to  imagine;  and  while  the  scope  and  general  objects 
of  this  work  do  not  allow  our  dealing  with  the  subject  in  any- 
thing like  an  adequate  manner,  it  is  necessary  that  a  word  of 
warning  should  be  offered  on  the  difficulties  which  are  constantly 
presenting  themselves  to  the  amateur  horseman  in  correctly  de- 
termining the  locality  of  the  pain  which  causes  a  horse  to  go  lame; 
ior  unless  a  man  has  some  practical  acquaintance  with  these  diffi- 
culties and  is  prepared  to  recognize  that  they  exist,  it  will  prove  of 
very  little  value  for  us  to  provide  instructions  as  to  treatment, 
which  is,  in  fact,  the  primary  object  of  this  work.  In  the  first 
place,  it  is  essential  that  a  correct  opinion  should  be  arrived  at  as 
to  whether  the  horse  is  lame  of  a  fore  limb  or  a  hind  one;  to  de- 
termine this,  the  horse  should  be  run  in  hand,  at  a  slow  pace,  both 
away  from  and  towards  the  observer;  in  the  case  of  a  horse  trot- 
ting from  you,  that  is  lame  of  one  of  the  fore  limbs,  the  dropping 
of  the  head  gives  a  swaying  motion  to  the  body,  which  produces 
an  up  and  down  motion  to  the  quarters,  which  might  lead  one  in- 
experienced in  testing  such  a  case,  to  infer  that  the  animal  was 
lame  of  one  of  the  hind  limbs;  but  when  the  horse  comes  towards 
the  observer  it  will  be  clear  from  the  dropping  of  the  head  that  it 
is  in  one  of  the  fore  limbs;  on  the  contrary,  when  the  lameness  is 


LAMENESS.  279 

in  the  hind  limb  the  dropping  of  one  quarter  will  be  apparent  as 
the  horse  goes  from  the  observer,  while  in  approaching  him  there 
is  not  so  great  a  tendency  to  the  counter-motion  in  front,  and  mis- 
takes are  not  so  liable  to  be  made  as  when  the  opposite  condition 
exists.  Having  then  determined  at  which  end  of  the  body  the 
lameness  is  to  be  found,  the  next  matter  for  consideration  and  de- 
termination is  in  which  particular  limb  the  cause  of  pain  is  located; 
if  a  horse  is  lame  of  the  off  fore  limb  he  drops  the  weight  of  the  body 
upon  the  near  fore  and  his  head  bobs  and  sways  toward  that  side 
and  vice  versa;  it  may  be  also  that  the  animal  is  unable  to  flex  (or 
bend)  one  of  the  joints  of  the  faulty  limb,  which  necessitates  its 
being  carried  forward  stiffly  and  in  a  stilty  fashion;  such  a  coinci- 
dence furnishes  still  further  proof  of  the  particular  limb  that  is 
affected;  again,  an  animal  may  be  lame  of  both  fore  limbs,  as  is 
frequently  the  case  when  a  horse  is  the  subject  of  navicular  dis- 
ease; under  such  conditions  lameness  will  more  often  than  not  be 
overlooked  by  anyone  other  than  an  experienced  veterinary 
surgeon,  as  there  will  be  no  dropping,  no  bobbing  of  the  head, 
and  the  general  action  will  be  fairly  level;  shady  horse  dealers  fre- 
quently take  advantage  of  this  state  of  affairs  to  palm  off  an  un- 
sound animal  as  a  perfectly  sound  one  to  the  ma  wary  purchaser; 
and,  what  is  still  worse,  a  hors2  that  was  considered  to  be  suffer- 
ing from  an  incurable  lameness  of  one  foot  has  had  some  foreign 
substance,  such  as  a  small  piece  of  iron,  inserted  between  the  shoe 
and  the  sole  of  the  sound  foot,  so  as  by  pressure  to  produce  ten- 
derness and  pain  equiv^alent  to  that  experienced  in  the  diseased 
foot;  in  this  waj'  the  sound  limb  w^as rendered  as  bad  as  the  other, 
by  which  means  the  real  lameness  was  temporaril}^  obscured;  it  is 
of  no  use  to  rely  upon  the  dropping  gait  to  detect  double  lameness 
of  this  character;  the  way  to  discover  it  is  to  watch  careful!}-  the 
action,  which  under  such  circumstances  is  palpably  short,  stilty 
and  cramped,  accompanied  by  a  distinct  rolling  of  the  bod}-,  as 
though  the  animal  was  afraid  to  bring  any  weight  to  bear  on  thi 
feet,  and  no  doubt  this  is  the  case.  Cases  of  lameness  in  a  hind 
limb  are  to  be  detected  during  motion  from  the  dropping  of  the 
quarter  on  the  side  of  the  unaffected  or  sound  limb,  while  the 
quarter  of  the  affected  limb  is  jumped  at,  as  the  animal,  in  course 
of  progression,  throws  the  weight  of  the  body  off  the  injured 
limb  on  to  the  sound  one;  the  peculiar  stiffness  of  gait  already  re- 


28o  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

ferred  to  as  being  sometimes  observable  in  a  fore  limb  is  more  fre- 
quently a  marked  peculiarity  of  lameness  in  a  hind  limb.  Sd  far 
we  have  been  considering  the  methods  of  observation  in  detecting 
lameness  from  movement  and  action;  it  remains  now  to  refer  to 
those  indications  which  may  be  observed  when  the  horse  is  at  rest; 
these  are  pointing  with  the  injured  or  faulty  limb;  standing  with 
one  foot  in  adv^ance  of  the  other;  standing  with  the  knee  bent  or 
flexed  and  resting  the  leg  on  the  point  of  the  toe,  the  object  of 
which  is  evidently  to  take  the  strain  off  the  back  tendons;  in  cases 
of  severe  shoulder  lameness  this  flexed  state  of  the  knee  joint  is 
carried  to  such  an  extent  that  the  toe,  while  barely  touching  the 
ground,  rests  lightly  in  a  pendulous  fashion  behind  the  position 
occupied  by  the  sound  foot. 

In  cases  of  lameness  of  both  fore  feet,  such  as  occurs  in  laminitis 
(inflammation  of  the  sensitive  portions  of  the  feet),  when  the 
animal  suffers  acute  pain  by  reason  of  the  natural  weight  of  the 
body  brought  to  bear  while  standing,  the  horse  advances  both 
hind  limbs  well  under  the  body,  at  the  same  time  the  fore  feet  will 
be  alternately  resting  or  well  drawn  under  the  body  in  proximity 
to  the  hind  ones  in  order  that  they  may  be  relieved  as  much 
as  possible  of  the  weight  of  the  body;  on  the  other  hand,  if  the 
hind  feet  are  affected  in  this  way,  they  will  still  be  advanced 
under  the  body,  but  the  fore  limbs  will  be  placed  perpendicularly, 
straight  under  the  chest,  the  head  being  hung  down  and  the  body 
swayed  towards  the  front  with  the  object  evidently  of  bringing 
the  main  body  weight  forwards  and  as  much  as  possible  on  to  the 
fore  limbs. 

lyameness  of  the  hind  limbs  may  be  indicated  during  repose  by 
a  flexion  of  the  fetlock  joint,  even  to  the  extent  of  knuckling 
over;  by  continually  resting  the  faulty  limb,  or,  as  is  frequently 
seen,  by  standing  with  it  completely  elevated  off  the  ground. 

Having  proceeded  thus  far  and  satisfied  himself  of  which  limb 
an  animal  is  lame,  it  behooves  the  observer  to  complete  his  ex- 
amination, and  by  manipulation  to  determine  the  positive  seat  and 
cause  of  the  lamene.ss;  in  the  majority  of  cases  evidence  is  clear 
from  the  presence  of  heat,  swelling  and  pain,  while  in  not  a  few 
neither  of  these  objective  conditions  can  be  discovered,  especially 
in  eases  where  the  deeply  seated,  sensitive  structures  of  the  foot  are 
implicated,  the  bones  of  the  limbs  and  feet,  and  the  muscles  whose 


SPRAINS  OF  TKNDONS,  I.IGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  28  r 

function  it  is  to  enable  the  horse  to  flex  and  extend  his  limbs; 
under  such  conditions  the  evidence  is  rather  of  the  negative  order, 
and  much  reliance  must  be  placed  upon  the  peculiar  character  of 
the  gait  before  the  precise  spot  can  be  discovered,  after  which 
forcible  manipulation  in  the  case  of  an  injured  muscle  will  fre- 
quently cause  the  animal  to  reveal  the  seat  of  pain  by  flinching 
and  drawing  away  from  the  person  so  examining  it. 

In  proceeding  to  deal  with  the  more  general  causes  and  seats  of 
lameness,  we  shall  only  be  able  to  touch  the  fringe  of  the  subject; 
so  much  ground  would  have  to  be  covered  if  it  were  dealt  with 
exhaustively,  and  a  whole  volume  might  be  written  on  this  one 
division  of  our  work;  connnon  ordinary  causes  of  lameness  will  be 
merely  mentioned  en  passant,  believing  as  we  do  that  this  will  be 
sufficient  for  all  practical  purposes  to  the  majority  of  those  who 
will  patronize  this  book;  but  with  some  of  the  more  obscure 
causes  of  lameness  we  shall  attempt  a  fuller  description  in  order 
that  our  methods  of  treatment  may  be  the  better  applied  and  more 
satisfactory  results  be  obtained. 

SPRAINS   OF  TENDONS,  LIGAMENTS  AND    MUSCLES. 

The  tendons  and  ligaments  of  both  fore  and  hind  limbs  below 
the  knees  and  hocks  are  frequently  the  seats  of  injury,  from  slips, 
either  in  the  stable  or  out  of  it;  from  over-stretching  produced  by 
some  violent  effort,  such  as  starting  a  heavily- loaded  cart  or 
wagon  or  jumping  in  the  hunting  field.  A  sprained  ligament  is 
generally  more  troublesome  to  deal  with  than  a  tendon;  we  may 
as  well  endeavor  to  explain  the  difference  between  tendons  and 
ligaments;  broadly  and  generally  speaking,  a  tendon  is  a  strong, 
thick  and  long  piece  of  fibrous  tissue  attached  at  the  upper  end  to 
a  muscle,  while  inferiorly  it  is  attached  to  a  bone;  its  function 
being  to  enable  a  joint  to  be  flexed  or  extended;  a  ligament  is  a 
short  piece  of  fibrous  tissue  of  very  firm  structure  though  of  less 
substance  and  size  than  a  tendon,  which  serves  to  keep  the  two 
ends  of  long  bones  approximated  together  to  form  joints;  around 
each  joint,  of  the  limbs  for  instance,  there  are  four  or  more  liga- 
ments: while  both  tendons  and  ligaments  consist  of  what  is 
described  by  the  anatomist  as  fibrous  tissue,  a  microscopical  ex- 
amination of  their  respective  structures  reveals  a  difference  in 
their  construction;  but  beyond  the  practical  fact  that  the  tendon. 


282  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

is,  generally  speaking,  softer,  more  elastic  and  yielding  than  the 
ligament  it  is  not  necessary  to  go  more  closely  into  these  details. 
The  muscles  consist  of  a  much  more  highly  organized  tissue  than 
is  the  fibrous  tissue  of  tendons  and  ligaments;  muscular  tissue  is 
endowed  with  the  power  of  contraction  produced  by  a  stimulus 
from  the  nervous  system;  by  means  of  this  power  of  contraction 
or  shortening  of  the  muscles  the  various  phenomena  associated 
with  motion  are  effected.  The  composition  of  muscular  tissue 
renders  it  much  more  amenable  to  the  action  and  influence  of 
drugs  than  are  the  tissues  of  either  tendons  or  ligaments;  for  this 
reason  cases  of  injury  to  the  muscles,  as  a  rule,  are  more  easily 
and  quickly  cured  than  in  those  where  the  tendons  and  ligaments 
are  damaged;  moreover  the  lowly  organized  insensitive  tissue  of 
which  tendons  and  ligaments  consist  requires  severer  methods  of 
treatment  than  does  muscular  tissue,  which  fact  will  serve  to 
make  clear  the  absolute  necessity,  in  bad  cases  of  injury  to  liga- 
ments for  instance,  for  the  use  of  the  actual  cautery  or  some 
irritant  that  will  set  up  active  inflammation  for  a  time,  a  pro- 
cedure which  practical  experience  has  shown  is  necessary  before 
these  lowly  organized  tissues  can  be  restored  to  a  sound  and 
healthy  condition.  This,  of  course,  is  a  very  common  style  of 
treatment  among  allopathic  veterinarians  for  all  sorts  of  lameness, 
and  it  must  be  understood  that  we  do  not  advocate  its  adoption  as 
common  or  even  ordinary  practice,  but  only  in  very  extreme  and 
chronic  cases;  at  the  same  time  we  are  satisfied  that  the  applica- 
tion of  the  actual  cautery,  inasmuch  as  it  is  used  to  set  up  inflam- 
mation in  a  given  tissue,  is  distinctly  homoeopathic  in  principle; 
inflammation  in  the  first  instance  was  the  cause  of  the  morbid 
change  that  has  taken  place  in  a  sprained  tendon  or  ligament,  and 
so  caused  lameness,  to  overcome  this  morbid  condition  and  restore 
the  tissue  to  its  pristine  condition,  inflammation  must  sometimes 
be  set  up  and  allowed  to  subside  naturally;  without  going  into  a 
detailed  explanation  of  the  various  changes  which  take  place 
under  such  treatment,  it  will  suffice  to  state  that  as  a  rule  satis- 
factory results  follow  its  adoption,  a  thickened  tendon  or  ligament 
thereafter  assuming  its  normal  size  and  usefulness. 

In  the  first  instance  we  invariably  advocate  the  adoption  of 
gentler  measures,  such  as  the  application  of  a  non-irritating  lotion, 
and  in  all  recent  cases  of  sprains  and  inj  uries  this  method  of  pro- 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,  LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  283 

cedure  suffices  to  effect  a  speedy  cure.  Heat,  swelling  and  tender- 
ness are  pronounced  characteristics  of  sprained  tendons;  in  muscles 
the  swelling  is  not  so  distinctly  observable,  but  instead  are  soft 
and  pulpy  to  the  touch,  and  if  not  properly  treated  this  condition 
is  sometimes  succeeded  by  an  absolute  loss  of  substance,  hence  the 
wasting  which  is  at  times  observable  in  the  muscles  of  the  fore 
arms  and  thighs  after  violent  injury;  the  fibrillae  or  constituent 
elements  of  the  muscle  have  in  all  probability  been  ruptured  cross- 
wise; inflammation  being  set  up,  a  fluid  exudate  is,  consequent 
thereupon,  thrown  out  and  degeneration  of  the  elements  follows 
which  interferes  with  the  function  of  contractility. 

lyameness  of  the  hind  limbs  from  spra'in  of  the  psoas  muscles 
is  no  uncommon  condition  among  all  classes  of  horses.  The 
psoas  muscles  are  situated  internally,  under  the  spinal  column; 
they  originate  about  opposite  the  last  ribs  and  extend  in  a  back- 
ward direction  to  be  attached  to  the  pelvis,  one  of  their  functions 
being  to  draw  the  hind  legs  forward;  injury  to  either  of  these 
muscles  renders  it  very  difficult  for  a  horse  that  is  down  to  rise, 
hence  the  necessity  of  using  slings  for  an  animal  in  this  condition 
to  avoid  the  risk  involved  by  allowing  it  to  assume  the  recumbent 
position;  a  horse  with  such  an  injury  can  manage  to  stand  without 
any  fear  of  aggravation,  but  when  very  severe  it  is  no  uncommon 
thing  for  knuckling  over  at  the  fetlock  joints  to  take  place,  furn- 
ishing additional  reason  for  putting  the  animal  into  slings. 

An  animal  suffering  from  injury  to  these  muscles  will  stand 
with  the  hind  legs  wider  apart  than  usual  and,  when  called  upon 
to  walk,  evinces  considerable  loss  of  power  to  bring  either  one  or 
both  legs  forward,  depending,  of  course,  upon  whether  the  mus- 
cles of  both  sides  are  affected;  the  animal  is  unable  to  proper!}- 
lift  its  foot  off  the  ground  and  drags  it  along  in  a  helpless,  uncer- 
tain manner,  while  there  is  a  distinct  tendency  to  knuckle  over  at 
the  fetlock  joint.  Confirmation  of  the  precise  seat  of  the  injury 
may  be  obtained  by  examining  the  parts,  namely,  per  rectum;  let 
the  bare  arm,  which  should  first  be  lubricated  with  carbolized  oil, 
be  introduced  as  far  as  possible  up  the  rectum,  when  heat,  con- 
siderable tenderness  and  possibly  some  swelling  will  be  detected; 
in  very  severe  cases  swelling  is  sometimes  observable  externallj- 
at  the  anus.  The  best  treatment  for  these  cases,  after  putting  the 
horse  in  slings,  is  to  apply  hot  fomentations  to  the  loins  by  means 


284  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

of  flannels  wrung  out  of  water  aS  hot  as  the  hand  can  bear,  and 
thereafter  appljnng  a  medicated  {Arnica  0)  compress;  the  lotion, 
as  usual,  should  be  made  of  one  part  of  tincture  to  six  of  water; 
this  compress  should  be  constantly  applied  for  some  few  days;  in 
addition  two  or  three  quarts  of  the  lotion  should  be  injected  into 
the  rectum  by  means  of  an  enema  pump  tbree  times  a  day,  and 
the  usual  dose  of  Aniica  3X  administered  per  oram  thrice  daily. 
The  diet  should  be  of  a  slightly  relaxing  character,  wdth  plenty 
of  slops,  so  as  to  render  the  faeces  as  soft  as  possible. 

Another  set  of  muscles  involving  lameness  in  the  hind  limbs 
that  to  an  amateur  horseman  may  prove  obscure  and  somewhat 
perplexing  is  that  portion  of  the  quarters  known  as  the  aurat 
muscles;  they  extend  in  a  mass  from  somewhere  about  the  hip 
joint  to  the  patella  or  stifle;  their  function  is  to  raise  the  thigh 
and  bring  it  forward;  when  these  muscles  are  injured  the  horse 
can  neither  straighten  the  stifle  nor  bend  the  hock,  and  when  an 
effort  is  made  to  walk  the  leg  is  dragged  along  on  the  toe,  the 
limb  as  a  whole  being,  as  it  were,  left  behind;  these  are  among 
the  cases  where  there  is  a  risk  of  some  one  or  more  of  the  muscles 
becoming  wasted;  when  such  is  the  case  nothing  short  of  a  blister, 
repeated  two  or  three  times  over  a  period  of  six  or  eight  wrecks,  will 
serve  to  restore  the  wasted  muscle  to  its  normal  state  of  health 
and  usefulness.  If  the  seat  of  lameness  is  discovered  before  wast- 
ino-  of  the  muscular  tissue  commences,  hot  fomentations  and  liberal 
hand  friction  with  arnica  lotion  will  generally  serve  to  restore  the 
animal  to  soundness,  absolute  rest  being  indispensable  meanwhile. 

One  form  of  shoui.der  lameness  that  frequently  occurs 
among  horses  that  are  worked  on  the  land  during  the  ploughing 
operations  is  due  to  the  sprain  of  certain  muscles  that  serve  to 
cover  the  shoulder  blades,  the  points  of  the  shoulders  and  the 
arms;  also  a  long  muscle  which  is  attached  superiorly  each  side  of 
the  head,  passing  down  the  lower  part  of  the  neck  and  helping  to 
form  the  groove  which  exists  down  the  course  of  the  neck  whence 
it  passes  over  the  point  of  each  shoulder  and  is  attached  inferiorly 
to  the  inside  of  the  fore  arm,  and  that  large  mass  of  muscle  which 
serves  to  cover  the  main  bone  of  the  arm  as  it  lies  in  position,  ex- 
tending from  the  point  of  the  shoulder  forwards  to  the  elbow 
backwards,  together  with  the  corresponding  internal  muscles 
known  as  the  pectoral  or  muscles  of  the  chest.     Several  of  these 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,   LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  285 

muscles  are  very  liable  to  waste  if  the  injury  is  neglected,  in 
which  case  stimulating  remedies  and  long  rest  are  absolutely  nec- 
essary to  effect  a  cure.  The  wasting,  as  a  rule,  takes,  place  in 
those  muscles  that  clothe  the  shoulder-blade,  leaving  a  hollow 
space  down  the  course  of  the  bone  which  causes  the  prominent 
portion  in  the  centre  to  stand  out  like  a  ridge. 

The  objective  symptoms  during  motion,  are  marked  dropping  of 
thie  head,  and  the  throwing  out  of  the  leg  in  a  stiff,  helpless  fash- 
ion; when  standing,  the  knee  is  flexed  and  the  leg  hangs  just 
resting  on  the  point  of  the  toe.  There  will  probably  be  some 
swelling  and  evident  pain  on  pressure  of  the  affected  parts;  a  fur- 
ther test  is  to  lift  the  leg  from  the  ground,  move  it  backwards, 
forwards  and  in  a  rotary  manner,  whereupon  the  animal  will 
shrink  from  the  proceeding  and  give  evidence  of  considerable 
pain.  When  treatment  is  commenced  early,  it  is  rarely  necessary 
to  require  anything  more  than  that  already  indicated  with  Arnica 
lotion,  plenty  of  hand  friction  and  hot  fomentations;  but  should 
the  horse  have  been  at  all  susceptible  to  the  rheumatic  diathesis, 
and  Arnica  does  not  effect  a  satisfactory  cure,  resort  may  be  had 
to  the  application  of  Rhus  toxicodendron  on  similar  lines,  both  ex- 
ternally and  internally. 

Shoulder  slip,  by  which  is  meant  an  apparent  dislocation  of 
the  shoulder  joint  when  the  foot  is  planted  on  the  ground,  but 
which  disappears  when  the  foot  is  lifted  from  the  ground,  and 
ELBOW  LAMENESS  are  both  associated  with  the  muscular  injuries 
already  described,  having  symptoms  very  much  alike,  but  dis- 
cernible the  one  from  the  other  by  the  marked  sensitiveness  on 
manipulation  of  the  affected  part.  When  we  descend  to  the  knee, 
the  tissues  affected  are  of  the  fibrous  character,  and  we  have  to 
deal  with  ligaments  and  bones,  as  in  inflammation  of  the  knee 
joints,  including  those  very  fine  membranes  which  serv^e  to  secrete 
the  lubricating  fluid,  known  as  synovia,  that  is  required  to  enable 
the  bones  forming  joints  to  play  smoothly  one  upon  the  other  as 
the  joints  are  flexed  and  extended;  below  the  knee  are  found  the 
FLEXOR  tendons,  or  BACK  SINEWS  as  they  are  vulgarly  called, 
underneath  which,  in  the  groove  of  the  canon  bone,  lie  the  sus- 
pensory LIGAMENTS  bounded  on  either  side  by  the  small  canon 
BONES;  these  exist  in  the  hind  as  well  as  the  fore  limbs;  the 
fibrous  tissues  of  which  these  ligaments  are  formed  are  of  an  in- 


286  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

elastic  character  and  are  frequently  the  seat  of  sprain  among  the 
heavier  class  of  horses  that  are  called  upon  to  move  heavy  loads; 
the  lack  of  elasticity  gives  the  horse  the  power  to  move  a  heav}' 
load,  but  when  too  much  stress  or  force  is  laid  upon  the  unyield- 
ing structures  they  give  way,  and  a  rupture  of  the  individual  fibres 
is  the  result;  under  such  conditions  nothing  but  long  rest,  in  con- 
junction with  ordinary  treatment,  is  of  any  avail;  time  must  be 
allowed  for  the  fibres  of  the  ligament  to  reunite  and  become  firmly 
welded  together  before  the  animal  can  go  sound  or  be  fit  for  work 
of  any  sort.  These  remarks  apply  with  equal  force  to  the  back 
sinews  or  flexor  tendons,  though  we  are  of  opinion  that  there  is 
more  elasticity  in  these  than  in  the  bulky  ligaments  just  referred 
to;  and  inasmuch  as  the  locality  of  these  flexor  tendons  allows  for 
more  immediate  application  of  lotions  and  liniments  to  them  than 
is  possible  with  the  suspensor}-  ligaments,  treatment  is  generally 
more  effective  and  satisfactory.  The  aforesaid  suspensory  liga- 
ment, on  reaching  the  fetlock  joint  at  the  back,  divides  into  two 
parts,  is  attached  to  two  floating  bones,  called  sesmoids,  which 
form  part  of  the  fetlock  joint,  and  from  thence  the  two  divisions 
of  the  ligament  pass  downwards  and  ultimately  blend  with  and 
become  attached  to  the  principal  flexor  tendon  of  the  leg.  We 
have  gone  thus  fully  into  a  description  of  this  ligament  and  its 
attachments  with  a  view  to  the  production  of  a  proper  estimate  of 
the  damage  that  a  sprain  of  the  deeper  situated  tissues  may  effect; 
the  examination  of  a  weak  or  injured  limb  by  amateur  horsemen 
is,  as  a  rule,  so  superficial  that  it  becomes  necessary  to  particularly 
point  out  one  of  the  fi"equent  seats  of  lameness  affecting  horses 
that  have  to  move  heavy  loads  or  those  that  have  to  make  violent 
efforts,  as  have  steeplechasers  and  hunters  in  the  act  of  jumping, 
in  the  first  instance  all  cases  of  injury  affecting  tendons  and 
ligaments  should  be  treated  with  hot  fomentations,  by  standing 
the  leg  in  a  pail  of  hot  water;  occasionally  adding  a  small  quanity 
of  boiling  water  to  keep  a  uniform  temperature;  thereafter  hand 
rubbing  the  affected  part  with  Arnica  lotion  — i  in  8 — and  then 
applying  an  Arnica  lotion  compress,  which  should  be  retained  in 
position,  with  some  pressure  for  several  hours;  when  the  compress 
is  removed  the  legs  should  be  firmly  bandaged  with  a  strong  roll 
of  dry  linen,  which  should  be  kept  in  position  for  two  hours,  and 
the  former   process  of   fomentation,    rubbing   and    compress   re- 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,  LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  287 

peated;  these  two  methods  should  be  alternated  for  several  days; 
meanwhile  the  horse  should  be  kept  quite  still  in  the  box;  if  these 
methods  do  not  result  in  effecting  a  cure  then  the  more  severe 
measures  must  be  adopted,  such  as  blistering  sharply  or  firing 
lightly;  in  the  case  of  thickened  tendons  point  or  pin  firing  is  the 
best,  as  by  this  means  blemishing  is  avoided  and  a  good  deal  of 
pain  is  saved. 

Before  leaving  the  upper  part  of  the  fore  legs  it  is  necessary 
to  deal  with  a  very  common  injury,  namely  broken  knees;  the 
importance  to  be  attached  to  this  class  of  injury  varies  in  degree 
according  to  the  extent  of  the  damage  done;  but  so  long  as  the 
sheath  of  the  extensor  tendon  is  not  cut,  nor  the  articulations  be- 
tween the  rows  of  bones  forming  the  knee  penetrated,  so  as  to 
allow  the  escape  of  synovia  (or  joint  oil)  no  better  treatment  than 
the  application  of  Calendula  lotion,  viz. ,  one  part  of  the  mother 
tincture  to  three  parts  of  water,  can  be  adopted,  the  lotion  may 
be  satisfactorily  applied  by  means  of  the  spray  diffuser,  a  method 
that  has  a  decided  advantage  over  the  common  practice  of  satura- 
tion of  lint  which  is  kept  in  position  with  a  bandage,  inasmuch  as 
the  formative  material  thrown  out  in  the  natural  healing  process 
is  not  removed  by  the  immediate  application  of  a  resisting  medium, 
moreover  the  horse  is  far  more  likely  to  stand  quiet  and  not  flex 
(or  bend)  the  knee  if  the  healing  agent  is  applied  in  this  almost 
imperceptible  manner;  it  is  quite  true  that  in  the  first  instance  the 
applications  require  to  be  frequent,  say  once  every  hour;  but  the 
more  speed}^  healing  of  the  wound  more  than  repays  the  slight 
extra  trouble  this  method  involves.  In  cases  where  joint  oil 
escapes  either  from  the_  knee  or  the  hock  the  measures  it  is  neces- 
sary to  take  are  tedious  and  sometimes  involve  many  hours' 
persistent  and  unremitting  attention;  the  continuous  applica- 
tion of  slacked  lime,  finely  pulverized,  sprinkling  it  on  to  the  spot 
where  the  joint  oil  is  escaping  vnitil  such,  a  time  as  the  union  of 
the  oil  and  lime  forms  a  plug  and  the  further  escape  is  arrested,  is 
the  best  treatment;  it  is  important  to  understand  that  once  begun, 
this  procedure  must  be  continued  without  even  one  moment's  inter- 
mission through  day  and  night,  if  needs  be;  it  is  generally  neces- 
sary to  have  a  relay  of  at  least  three  men  who  will  keep  up  the 
sprinkling  of  the  lime  until  the  desired  object  is  attained;  once 
the  flow  of  synovia  is  arrested  the  caked  lime  must  be  allowed  to 


288  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

remain  until  it  drops  off,  which  it  generally  does  when  the  wound 
is  healed;  it  should  be  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  when  injuries 
of  this  kind  are  experienced,  the  horse  must  not  be  permitted  to- 
lie  down,  and  in  most  instances  it  is  necessary  to  put  the  animal 
into  slings  in  order  to  afford  it  some  rest. 

Splints  or  exostoses  on  the  canon  bone,  particularly  when  they 
are  located  at  the  margins  of  the  groove  in  which  the  suspensory 
ligament  rests,  are  likely  to  be  producti\'e  of  lameness,  not  merely 
because  of  the  tenderness  arising  from  inflammation  of  the  bone, 
but  also  by  reason  of  the  splint  standing  out  so  prominently  that 
the  back  tendons  rub  against  it  as  the  horse  flexes  and  extends- 
his  leg  in  trotting  and  so  produces  extreme  soreness;  yet  again, 
when  a  splint  arises  immediately  underneath  the  joint  of  the  knee, 
thus  interfering  with  the  true  action  of  the  articulation,  it  produces 
lameness.  There  are  several  methods  of  treating  a  splint:  First, 
if  the  fine  membrane  which  covers  all  bones,  and  necessarily  ex- 
tends over  a  splint  when  it  forms,  called  the  periosteum  is  cut, 
the  splint  will  frequently  disappear;  this  should  be  done  with  a 
fine  periosteotomy  scalpel  by  a  veterinary  surgeon.  Second,  a 
fine  piece  of  hard  steel,  sharply  pointed,  about  the  size  of  a  lady's 
ordinary  stocking  needle  made  red  hot  and  plunged  boldly  into 
the  splint  will  effect  its  reab.sorption.  Third,  rub  in  an  ointment 
consisting  of  one  part  of  Biniodide  of  mercury,  one  part  of  Iodine 
and  eight  parts  of  lard  once  thoroughly;  if  after  the  effects  have 
passed  off,  the  splint,  or  any  portion  of  it  remains,  a  second  or  even 
a  third  application  may  be  required,  but  in  the  end  the  ab.sorption 
of  the  bony  enlargement  is  effected. 

Sprain  of  fetlock  joint  is  not  of  frequent  occurrence,  but 
when  it  does  occur  is  productive  of  considerable  trouble.  Hunters 
and  steeplechasers  are  more  often  the  subjects  of  this  form  of 
lameness  than  any  class  of  horse;  indeed,  fracture  of  the  bone 
known  as  the  suffraginis  which  enters  into  the  composition  of  the 
fetlock,  is  not  at  all  uncommon;  if  the  fracture  consists  of  a  simple 
breakage  in  the  long  axis  of  the  bone  there  is  no  reason  why 
union  should  not  take  place  and  the  horse  be  able  to  do  light  work; 
but  when  as  is  sometimes  the  case,  the  suffraginis  is  broken  into 
splinters  or  in  the  transverse  direction  there  is  very  little  hope  of 
effecting  a  satisfactory  cure,  and  only  in  the  case  of  a  valuable 
brood  mare  should  we  recommend  its  being  attempted;  if,  however,. 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,   LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  289 

an  attempt  is  to  be  made,  we  recommend  in  addition  to  the  usual 
surgical  appliances  the  internal  administration  of  Symphytum  0, 
a  dose  night  and  morning,  as  there  is  no  doubt  that  this  remedy 
aids  the  healthy  union  of  fractured  bones.  In  simple  sprains, 
however,  it  is  better  to  apply  tow,  cotton,  wool  or  lint  all  round 
the  fetlock  joint,  saturate  the  same  with  Arnica  lotion  and  bind 
it  on  firmly  with  a  cotton  or  linen  bandage,  taking  care  to  keep 
the  applications  continuously  moist  with  the  lotion;  a  removal 
once  in  twent)^-four  hours  would  be  essential;  internal  administra- 
tion of  Arnica  3X,  a  dose  morning,  noon  and  night,  materially 
assists  the  action  of  the  local  application. 

As  we  near  the  foot,  the  diseases  of  which  will  be  dealt  with  at 
the  close  of  this  article,  we  have  one  very  troublesome  condition, 
which  mostly  affects  the  heavier  class  of  horses,  viz.,  ringbone; 
this  consists  of  a  bony  growth  which  develops  upon  the  upper  and 
lower  bones  of  the  pastern,  and  as  its  name  indicates  forms  a  ring 
around  the  bone;  the  long  bone  of  the  pastern,  alread}'  referred 
to  as  the  suffraginis  is  the  seat  of  the  higher  ringbone,  and  when 
very  large  it  interferes  with  the  free  action  of  the  ligaments  which 
are  attached  to  this  bone;  this  form,  however,  is  not  frequently  a 
source  of  trouble;  the  ringbone  which  gives  the  real  trouble  and 
produces  such  obstinate  lameness  is  that  which  forms  round  the 
articulation  of  the  suffraginis,  or  long  bone  of  the  pastern,  and  the 
■corona,  or  short  bone  of  the  same,  and  ma}'  be  felt  as  a  prominent 
bony  deposit  round  the  upper  margin  of  the  hoof;  the  cause  of  a 
ringbone  is  attributed  to  strong  inflammation  arising  in  the  can- 
cellated structure  of  the  ends  of  the  before  named  bones;  as  the 
result  of  the  inflammation,  Ij^mph  is  thrown  out,  which,  in  the 
end,  becomes  organized  and  hard  as  bone;  in  a  large  number  of 
cases,  among  heavy  cart  horses,  this  deposition  of  bony  material 
goes  on  at  the  respective  ends  of  these  bones  until  an  union  is 
•effected,  and  the  joint  becomes  anchylosed  or  firmly  joined 
together,  so  that  the  articulation  cannot  act  freely,  a  fact  which 
accounts  for  horses  so  affected  going  somewhat  stiffly  in  their 
gait;  prior  to  this  union  being  completed,  and  while  the  inflam- 
mation is  activel}^  proceeding,  the  horse  experiences  pain  and 
consequent  lameness  ensues;  this  is  the  period  for  treatment,  the 
object  being  to  arrest  the  inflammation  and  the  deposition  of  the 
formed  and  bony  material  that  goes  to  make  up  the  ringbone;  if 

19 


290  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

taken  in  time  very  satisfactory  results  may  be  looked  for  from  the 
application  locally  and  internal  administration  of  Symphytum  W; 
locally  by  means  of  rubbing  in  a  lotion  and  the  application  of  a 
compress  of  the  same;  the  lotion  to  consist  of  one  part  of  the 
remedy  to  three  of  water,  and  internally  the  usual  dose,  in  both 
cases  using  mother  tincture.  A  horse  with  ringbone  of  the  fore 
limbs  puts  his  foot  to  the  ground  heel  first,  much  like  it  does  when 
suffering  from  laminitis  or  inflammation  of  the  sensitive  laminae 
of  the  foot;  but  it  may  be  distinguished  from  laminitis  by  the  fact 
that  the  heat  is  confined  to  the  upper  part  of  the  foot,  whereas  in 
laminitis  the  heat  and  pain  are  generally  diffused  over  the  whole 
of  the  hoof;  when  the  ringbone  developes  in  the  hind  limbs  the 
horse  generally  puts  the  toe  to  the  ground  first.  In  all  such  cases 
rest  is  imperative,  and  we  strongly  advocate  the  removal  of  all 
four  shoes  and  allowing  the  horse  to  stand  on  a  bed  of  saw  dust 
or  moss  peat  a  foot  thick. 

We  shall  now  turn  our  attention  to  lameness  of  the  hind  limbs 
other  than  those  already  dealt  with,  and  will  commence  with  the 
STIFLE;  this  joint  is  formed  by  the  femur  or  thigh  bone,  the  tibia 
or  shank  bone  and  the  patella  or  knee  cap  of  the  human  subject; 
inflammation  of  the  ends  and  articular  surfaces  of  these  bones 
generally  accounts  for  lameness  of  the  stifle  joint,  and  is  very 
often  due  to  what  is  described  as  the  rheumatic  diathesis;  in  other 
words  the  animal  is  susceptible  to  rheumatism,  and  this  joint  is  a 
weak  spot  upon  which  the  disease  centres  itself.  In  order  to 
prevent  as  much  as  possible  the  articular  surfaces  of  these  bones 
from  rubbing  upon  one  another  and  so  producing  great  pain,  the 
horse  stands  with  the  leg  flexed  and  resting  on  the  toe;  when  the 
animal  attempts  to  move,  he  drags  the  foot  along  on  the  point  of 
the  toe,  and  will  not  put  the  foot  down  flat  if  it  can  possibly  be 
avoided;  there  is  generally  marked  swelling  and  some  heat  in  the 
region  of  the  stifle  joint. 

One  of  the  best  remedies  for  this  condition  is  Rhus  toxicodendroji 
H  in  the  usual  proportions  1-8  in  the  form  of  liniment,  applied 
with  plenty  of  friction,  and  internally  administered  in  the  third 
decimal  attenuation ;  both  being  repeated  at  least  three  times  a 

day. 

The  HOCK  of  the  hor.se  which  corresponds  with  the  ankle  joint 
of  the  human  subject,  is  by  reason  of  its  complexity  the  seat  of 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,   LIGAMENTS  ANDMUSCLES.  291 

several  forms  of  lameness;  the  articulations  formed  b\-  the  approx- 
imation of  various  bones  are  frequently  the  seat  of  disease;  strain 
and  concussion  are  accountable  for  setting  up  inflammation  in  the 
bones,  bony  deposition  follows,  and  the  surfaces  of  the  bones 
cannot  glide  smoothly  upon  one  another;  when  this  takes  place 
we  have  to  deal  with  bone  spavin.  Then  in  order  that  these 
various  bones  may  be  kept  in  proper  relation,  the  one  to  the  other, 
numerous  ligaments  or  short  bands  of  fibrous  tissue  are  found; 
these  become  sprained,  inflamed  and  thickened,  causing  lameness. 
One  well  marked  form  of  lameness  known  as  curb,  owes  its 
development  to  sprain  of  the  annular  ligament  of  the  hock  in  its 
posterior  aspect;  inflammation  is  set  up,  followed  b}^  thickening  of 
this  ligament  together  with  a  short  ligament  that  is  attached  to 
one  of  the  posterior  bones  of  the  hock  and  the  long  bone  of  the 
leg  called  the  metatarsal  bone,  consequent  upon  which  a  slight 
prominence  (a  curb)  is  observable  at  the  back  of  the  hock  in  its 
lower  aspect.  Many  practitioners,  after  reducing  the  inflammation 
W'ith  hot  fomentations,  fire  for  this  condition;  this  practice  we  do 
not  agree  with;  the  remedy  that  we  have  found  answer  the  best 
is  a  lotion  consisting  of  one  drachm  of  Perchloride  of  Mercury,  dis- 
solved in  one  pint  of  boiling  w^ater  with  j  ust  sufficient  Hydrochloric 
acid  added  to  keep  the  mercury  in  solution;  with  this  the  curb 
should  be  well  rubbed  twice  daily  until  the  parts  are  sore,  after 
which  apply  a  little  sweet  oil  to  the  skin,  and  w^hen  the  soreness 
has  passed  off  recommence  with  the  lotion  over  another  period  till 
soreness  is  reproduced,  and  so  on  until  the  curb  disappears  en- 
tirely; the  time  that  it  takes  to  effect  the  complete  absorption  of 
an  ordinary  sized  curb  is  one  month  under  this  form  of  treatment, 
which  when  properly  carried  out  leaves  no  blemish  behind. 

Bog  Spavin  consi.sts  of  a  soft,  fluctuating  swelling  on  the  inner 
portion  of  the  front  part  of  the  hock  joint;  many  horses  are  the 
subjects  of  bog  spavin,  but  never  go  lame;  nevertheless  they  are 
unsightly  and  must  at  all  times  be  looked  upon  wdth  suspicion  lest 
they  should  develop  into  a  condition  that  produces  lameness;  when 
treatment  is  desired  the  same  lotion  and  course  of  procedure  should 
be  adopted  as  has  been  already  prescribed  for  curb. 

Bone  Spavin. — It  is  of  the  first  importance  that  a  horseman 
should  be  able  to  recognize  when  this  form  of  bone  disease  is  really 
present;  even  many  profe.ssional  men  make  mistakes  and  condemn 


292  -VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

horses  for  bone  spavin  when  nothing  more  than  big,  coarse  hocks 
are  present;  there  is  probably  more  uncertainty,  among  those  who 
should  know  what  a  spavin  really  is,  in  determining  the  actual  ex- 
istence of  the  exostosis  than  in  fixing  upon  any  other  defect  to 
which  a  horse  is  liable;  and  from  the  great  differences  of  opinion 
which  have  and  do  exist  with  reference  to  the  fact  that  has  to  be  fre- 
quently decided  in  courts  of  law,  ' '  is  there  or  is  thej^e  not  a  spavin,' ' 
no  little  discredit  has  fallen  upon  the  veterinary  profession;  we 
have  repeatedly  seen  horses  condemned  as  having  spavins  that 
had  coarse  and  large  boned  hocks,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  a 
horse  with  undoubted  spavins  has  been  passed  sound  as  though 
they  were  not  present;  we  have  found  no  difficulty  in  determining 
the  presence  or  absence  of  spavins,  and  we  consider  that  every 
veterinary  surgeon  of  experience  should  be  in  a  similar  position. 
The  question  then  arises:  What  is  a  bo7ie  spavin  and  how  may  it 
be  detected?  A  bone  spavin  is  a  deposition  of  formed  material, 
which  ultimately  calcifies  and  becomes  hard  and  bone-like,  on  the 
inside  of  the  hock  at  its  lower  point,  and  is  due  to  an  inflamma- 
tion of  the  bones  which  go  to  form  that  part  of  the  hock,  viz., 
the  cuneiform  and  the  metatarsal;  after  the  inflammation  subsides 
and  the  formed  material  has  become  calcified  the  articulation 
formed  by  the  before  named  bones  is  united,  or  as  it  is  technically 
termed  ''  anchylosed,'"  zwA  M\^  spavin  is  plainly  discernible  to  the 
eye  and  forms  a  distinct  prominence  of  greater  or  less  size  that  is 
'readily  capable  of  detection  by  means  of  touch;  a  hock  that  is  free 
from  spavin  has  a  smooth  surface,  and  the  various  bones  that  enter 
into  its  composition  can  be  felt  in  proper  api)Osition;  the  ir- 
regularities of  surface  which  are  present  in  a  spavined  hock  can- 
not be  discovered  in  a  hock  that  is  sound;  the  hocks  of  some 
horses  are  very  full  and  the  individual  bones  round  and  large,  but 
when  carefully  examined  the  surface  will  be  smooth  and  even; 
hence  this  normal  fullness  of  the  bones  should  not  be,  mistaken  for 
an  abnormal  and  diseased  condition;  indeed,  a  horse  with  a  large, 
bold  or  even  coarse  hock  will  stand  far  more  work,  strain  and  con- 
cussion than  will  the  narrow,  small  joint.  It  has  been  asserted 
that  if  both  hocks  are  alike  in  size  and  the  action  of  the  horse  is 
good  that  spavins  are  not  present,  bub  we  do  not  consider  this  a 
satisfactory  proof  either  way,  as  both  hocks  may  be  spavined; 
again,  some  horses  have  one  hock  naturally  larger  than  the  other 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,  LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  293 

and  still  are  sound.  No  !  the  proper  thing  is  to  be  able  to  recog- 
nize when  Q.  spavin  is  present,  and  this  we  affirm  every  practitioner 
should  be  able  to  determine,  and  that  without  making  a  mistake. 
In  dealing  with  spavins  the  most  important  matter  for  the  owner 
to  do  is  to  watch  for  the  first  indications  with  a  view  to  the  pre- 
vention of  further  development;  inflammation  of  the  bones  and 
their  interosseous  ligaments  is  the  first  process;  an  animal  that  is 
the  subject  of  this  inflammatory  process  must  necessarily  experi- 
ence tenderness,  heat  and  actual  pain  in  the  parts,  which  is  ex- 
hibited either  by  positive  lameness  or  a  tendency  to  ease  the  hock 
by  flexing  it  and  resting  the  toe  on  the  ground;  when  valuable 
young  horses,  between  the  ages  of  three  and  six  years,  are  noticed 
frequently  resting  one  leg  in  this  way  the  hock  should  be  carefully 
examined  for  palpable  heat  and  the  joint  should  be  flexed  and  ex- 
tended to  determine  if  there  is  any  tenderness;  if  these  are  present 
it  would  certainly  be  acting  on  the  s^feside  to  suspect  an  incipient 
spavin;  the  treatment  should  be  the  same  as  that  already  recom- 
mended for  the  early  stages  of  coming  exo.stosis,  namely,  hot 
fomentations  and  the  application  of  a  lotion  of  Symphytum  by 
means  of  hand-rubbing  and  a  compress,  at  the  same  time  admin- 
istering the  remedy  internally ;  there  is  good  reason  to  believe  that 
this  line  of  treatment  will  allay  the  inflammatory  action  and  arrest 
the  formation  of  the  spavin.  In  the  case  of  a  fully  formed  spavin 
that  is  the  cause  of  lameness  and  requires  treatment  we  strongly 
recommend  pyro-puncture  with  a  fine  iron,  great  care  being  ob- 
served not  to  insert  the  in.strument  too  near  the  articulation  or 
serious  and  perhaps  permanent  damage  would  be  effected. 

There  is  one  man  in  England  who  claims  the  possession  of 
knowledge  by  which  he  is  enabled  to  remove  a  spavin,  but  the  pro- 
cess is  a  secret  one,  nor  do  we,  in  our  ignorance,  see  how  such  a 
process  can  be  affected  without  causing  an  unwarrantable  amount 
of  pain  and  long  suffering. 

Thoroughpin  is  another  unsightly  condition  that  frequently 
exists  without  producing  lameness;  it  is  due  to  the  formation  of 
an  unnecessarily  large  quantity  of  fluid  in  the  sheath  of  the  flexor 
muscle  of  the  foot,  called  the  "' perforans;'''  the  fluid  by  pressure 
can  be  felt  to  move  from  inside  to  outside  of  the  hock,  at  the  back 
part  thereof,  hence  the  designation  ''  thoroughpin y  treatment 
such  as  that  recommended  for  curb  will  generally  serve  to  disperse 


294  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

the  superabundance  of  fluid  and  thus  effect  a  cure;  some  practi- 
tioners recommend  the  puncture  of  the  sweUing  with  an  instru- 
ment to  which  a  syphon  is  attached,  thus  enabhng  the  fluid  to  be 
drawn  off;  but,  inasmuch  as  it  speedily  reforms  again  and  the 
sweUing  is  again  as  large  as  before,  this  does  not  commend  itself 
to  us  as  a  satisfactory  procedure;  it  is  a  surgical  operation  to  be 
sure,  and  with  some  that  fact  goes  a  long  way  and  is  preferred  to 
any  less  ostentatious  methods,  even  though  it  does  not  effect  a 
cure;  we,  however,  prefer  the  more  tedious  process  herein  recom- 
mended, as  it  goes  to  the  root  of  the  master  and  gets  rid  of  the 
cause  which  produces  the  diseased  condition. 

Capped  Hock  as  it  generally  arises,  consists  of  the  formation  of 
a  serous  abscess  between  the  tendon  that  passes  over  the  point  of 
the  hock  and  the  skin;  a  rarer  form  of  capped  hock  is  that  which 
appears  as  a  swelling  on  either  side  the  point  of  the  hock  that  is 
due  to  an  inflammatory  condition  of  the  sheath  of  the  tendon  that 
passes  down  in  that  position;  in  consequence  of  this  inflammation 
there  is  superfluous  amount  of  synovia  formed  which  fills  the 
bursa  to  overflowing;  the  same  preparation  and  treatment  gener- 
ally as  that  prescribed  for  curb  will  effect  a  cure;  the  ordinary 
allopathic  treatment  is  to  reduce  the  inflammation  and  then  fire, 
putting  on  the  while  a  high  heeled  shoe ;  even  in  our  homoeopathic 
practice  this  latter  precaution  is  worthy  of  adoption  as  it  throws 
the  leg  into  a  position  that  gives  rest  and  ease  to  the  parts,  and 
in  this  way  assists  the  treatment  advocated. 

All  parts  below  the  hock  as  far  as  the  foot  are  liable  to  similar 
injuries,  so  far  as  tendons,  ligaments  and  bones  are  affected,  as 
those  described  in  connection  with  the  fore,  limbs  and  the  treat- 
ment is  the  same. 

We  now  pass  on  to  the  consideration  of  some  of*  the  chief 
points  affecting  the  foot;  we  have  no  hesitation  in  affirming  that 
by  far  the  larger  number  of  diseases  to  which  the  foot  is  prone  are 
either  due  to  or  materially  influenced  by  the  barbarous  practice  of 
shoeing;  we  have  satisfied  ourselves  by  experiment  and  experience 
that  for  no  class  of  horse  is  it  necessary  to  put  on  a  shoe  of  any 
sort  whatever,  provided  the  foot  has  never  been  manipulated  by 
the  shoeing  smith,  nor  had  a  drawing  knife  used  upon  it;  an  intact 
foot  is  capable  of  bearing  any  wear  whether  on  macadamized 
roads  or  paved  streets  that  a  horse  can  under  fair  and  ordinary 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,   LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  295 

conditions  give  it;  we  have  heard  it  argued  that  the  heavy  draught 
horse  could  not  start  and  move  such  loads  as  are  required  of  him 
without  the  aid  of  calkins  and  toe  pieces;  our  reply  to  this  ob- 
jection is  that  any  sound  cart  horse  can  start  and  move  any  load 
whatever  that  he  can  reasonably  be  expected  to  draw,  as  well  or 
even  better  without  shoes  than  with  them,  because  in  that  state 
he  will  plant  his  foot  on  the  ground  naturally;  toe  pieces  and 
calkins  enable  an  animal  to  move  a  heavier  load  than  he  could  do 
without  them,  provided  he  learns  to  stick  his  toes  against  the 
artificially  laid  street  pavements;  this  leverage,  however,  enables 
the  horse  to  put  more  force  and  power  into  his  efforts  than  his 
natural  strength  warrants;  hence  sprained  tendons  and  ligaments, 
ruptured  diaphragms  and  such  like  injuries  follow.  On  stone, 
wood  or  asphalt  pavements,  such  as  are  laid  down  in  large  towns, 
the  natural  character  of  the  horny  sole  and  frog  renders  it 
specially  adapted  to  the  obtainment  of  a  firm  grip  and  foothold, 
whereas  so  far  as  the  stone  and  asphalt  pavements  are  concerned, 
it  is  well  known  an  iron  shoe  renders  foothold  impossible. 

To  take  another  objection,  it  is  said  that  carriage  horses  whose 
work  lies  mainly  on  countrj^  roads  of  the  macadam  type,  on  which 
are  flint  stones  ©r  sharp  gravel,  would  soon  wear  away  the  horn, 
which  would  become  abnormally  thin;  that  the  soles  would  not 
resist  the  bruising  on  round  stones,  and  very  shortly  the  animal 
would  fall  lame;  this  conclusion  w^e  affirm  is  hypothetical  and 
incorrect;  it  is  quite  possible  that  the  wall  of  the  foot  would,  as  it 
wore  away,  leave  behind  some  fibres  of  incompletely  worn  horn; 
and  that  the  foot  would,  if  nothing  worse  came  of  it,  look  untidy; 
this  objection  is  easily  overruled;  the  frays  of  horn  fibre  could  be 
rasped  away;  or  if  some  sort  of  shoe  must  be  worn  for  the  sake  of 
neatness  and  show,  then  the  Charlier  tips  could  be  adopted,  which 
are  mere  bands  of  steel,  the  width  of  the  wall  in  a  groove  of  which 
they  are  seated  flush  with  the  surface  of  the  sole  so  that  a  full 
bearing  is  obtained  upon  the  sole  and  frog;  this  is  the  nearest 
artificial  approach  to  nature.  Hunters,  steeplechasers  and  flat 
racers,  in  which  class  we  include  also  trotters,  invariably  get  over 
the  ground  better  and  more  safely  with  nature's  foot  than  the}-  do 
with  the  artificial  provisions  of  the  shoeing  .smith;  moreover,  the 
accidents  and  injuries  due  to  jar,  concussion  and  sprain  are 
infinitely  less  numerous  when  the  sole,  bars  and  frog  are  left  un- 


296  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

touched  by  the  knifes  we  are  quite  aware  that  the  promulgation 
of  such  ideas  does  not  meet  with  a  favorable  reception  even  by 
those  whom  it  most  concerns,  and  very  naturally  meets  with  the 
active  opposition  of  shoeing  smiths;  these  are  features  in  the  dis- 
cussion, however,  which  do  not  concern  us;  we  have  to  advocate 
what  we  believe  to  be  in  the  best  interests  of  the  horse  and  the 
liorse  owner,  and  fearlessly  we  affirm  that  horses  generally  would 
do  far  better  without  shoes,  provided  the  foot  has  never  been 
pared  or  cut  with  the  drawing  knife. 

Among  the  diseases  affecting  the  foot  are  ossification  of  the 
lateral  cartilages  known  as  side  bones:  navicular  disease,  a 
very  frequent  cause  of  lameness  among  town-worked  horses  of  the 
lighter  class,  due  to  inflammation  of  the  small  bone  known  as  the 
' '  navicular, ' '  over  which  the  tendon  passes  and  plays  like  a  pulley 
before  it  becomes  inserted  into  the  main  bone  of  the  foot;  this 
ciondition  can  be  recognized  by  contraction  of  the  heels,  and  the 
short  pottering  style  of  action  that  subjects  of  this  disease  affect; 
it  generally  attacks  both  fore  feet,. and  hence  there  is  no  drop- 
ping to  indicate  special  lameness  in  a  particular  limb,  a  condition 
frequently  availed  of  by  ignorant  or  deceitful  men  to  pronounce 
the  animal  sound;  as  the  inflammation  of  the  bone  progresses,  it 
ultimately  results  in  an  ulcerated,  and  consequently  very  sore, 
condition  of  the  articulatory  surface  over  which  the  perforans 
tendon  plays;  in  this  manner  the  diseased  process  extends  to  the 
tendon,  the  fibres  of  which  become  degenerated,  and  in  the  long 
run  many  of  them  are  ruptured.  When  a  horse  is  the  subject  of 
navicular  disease,  he  may  be  observed,  while  in  the  stable,  point- 
ing first  one  foot  and  then  the  other;  on  coming  out  of  the  stable 
he  will  move  like  "  a  cat  on  hot  bricks;"  after  going  some  dis- 
tance and  ''getting  warm,'"  the  worst  features  of  the  tenderness 
wear  off,  and  the  animal  assumes  a  bolder  style  of  action;  let  the 
horse,  however,  stand  still  for  a  time  and  get  cool,  and  all  the 
original  cramped  action  recurs;  further  evidence  of  the  existence 
of  this  diseased  condition  is  presented  by  heat,  tenderness  and 
redness  in  the  hollow  of  the  heel,  upon  pressure  being  brought  to 
bear  on  these  parts;  but  the  most  conclusive  evidence  of  its  exist- 
ence is  obtained  from  the  peculiar  stiff  gait  and  stilty  action  that 
characterizes  the  movement  of  an  animal  suffering  therefrom. 
The  treatment  of  old-standiug  cases  of  navicular  disease  is  very 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,  LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  297 

unsatisfactory,  and  the  prospects  of  success  are  extremely  un- 
promising; if,  however,  it  can  be  detected  in  the  earlier  stages 
there  is  good  reason  to  anticipate  the  realization  of  a  successful 
outcome  of  the  treatment  we  advocate;  the  most  important  matter 
for  the  owner  to  arrive  at  in  the  first  instance  is  the  detection  of 
the  incipient  stage — that  is,  when  the  bone  is  becoming  congested 
and  before  the  inflammation  has  become  thoroughly  established. 
The  question  then  arises,  how  is  this  point  to  be  determined  ?  The 
process  of  development  is  slow  and  insidious,  a  point  certainl}-  in 
favor  of  treatment,  if  it  is  recognized  in  the  early  stages;  and  we 
should  certainly  recommend  an  owner  to  allow  his  suspicions  to  be 
aroused  if  a  hor.se  was  observed  pointing  either  one  or  both  feet 
w^hen  standing  in  the  stable;  further,  if  an  animal,  on  being 
brought  out,  went  slightly  lame  for  a  short  distance,  after  which 
the  lameness  graduall}^  wore  off;  if  the  natural  action  of  the  horse 
showed  a  tendency  to  shorten;  if  there  be  occa.sional  heat,  tender- 
ness and  redness  in  the  hollow  of  the  heel;  if  regular  fast  work 
seemed  to  intensify  the  tendency  to  temporary  lameness;  w'ith 
these  symptoms  present  we  should  certainl}^  consider  it  wnse 
to  suspect  incipient  navicular  disease,  and  especially  so  if  there 
were  neither  splints  nor  corns  present  to  affect  the  action  of  the 
horse.  The  treatment  under  such  circumstances  would  involve  a 
necessity  for  complete  rest;  the  removal  of  the  shoes;  the  horse 
should  be  compelled  to  stand  in  a  bed  of  wet  clay  during  the  day, 
and  at  night  be  allowed  a  bed  of  moss  peat;  when  taken  out  of  the 
wet  clay,  the  feet  and  legs  should  be  carefully  washed,  the  hollow  of 
the  heels  be  thoroughly  rubbed  with  Aniica  lotion,  usual  strength; 
afterwards  the  heels  should  be  well  padded  with  tow  saturated  with 
the  Aniica  lotion  and  surrounded  with  an  ordinary  compress  to  keep 
the  tow  moist;  for  internal  medication  give  ten  grains  of  Silicca  6x, 
night  and  morning;  this  course  of  treatment  should  be  continued 
regularl}^  for  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks;  the  horse  should  then  be 
tried  without  shoes,  and  if  the  symptoms  indicated  as  suspicious 
of  navicular  disease  are  discontinued  and  the  animal  goes  sound, 
gentle  work  might  be  resumed;  if  not,  the  treatment  had  better  be 
continued  for  a  further  period;  but  under  no  circumstances  should 
a  horse  that  has  once  gone  lame  from  this  cause  be  shod  with 
ordinary  shoes;  resort  should  be  had  to  the  Charlier  shoe  in  order 
to  bring  pressure  upon  the  sole  and  frog,  or  the  concussion  and  jar 


298  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

'experienced  with  the  ordinary  shoe  will  soon  set  up  the  diseased 
condition  once  again. 

In  well-established  cases  of  navicular  disease,  where  the  horse 
is  in  all  other  respects  a  useful  animal  and  the  owner  is  reluctant 
to  destroy  it,  a  blister  round  the  coronet  might  be  tried,  the  best 
agent  being  the  Biniodide  of  mercury  ointment,  and  that  because 
mercury  has  a  specific  action  upon  bony  tissue;  we  have  not  much 
faith  in  this  procedure,  at  the  same  time  it  might  be  put  to  the 
test;  if  this  proves  useless  and  the  desire  to  retain  the  services  of 
the  horse  is  very  strong,  we  should  recommend  that  a  veterinary 
surgeon  be  called  in  to  perform  the  operation  of  neurotomy,  as 
by  this  means  the  horse  would  be  rendered  insensible  to  pain  and 
might,  at  all  events,  do  slow  work;  before  determining  to  have 
the  operation  performed  it  is  well  to  remember  that  occasionally 
unfavorable  results  follow  it,  such  as  rupture  of  the  tendon, 
fracture  of  the  navicular  bone  and  sloughing  of  the  hoof;  if  an 
owner  is  prepared  to  run  the  slight  risk  of  these  possible  untoward 
results,  the  operation  will  certainly  enable  the  horse  to  move  with- 
out pain,  and  so  long  as  the  bisected  nerve  remains  disunited  no 
indications  of  lameness  will  be  observable. 

lyAMiNiTiS  is  probably  one  of  the  most  painful  diseases,  while 
it  lasts,  to  which  a  horse  is  subject;  it  is  inflammation  of  the  sensi- 
tive structures  of  the  foot;  a  large  proportion  of  these  sensitive 
structures  consist  of  laminae  or  leaves  surrounding  the  pedal  bone, 
-which  fit  into  corresponding  horny  laminae  or  leaves  all  round  the 
horny  wall;  among  these  layers  of  leaves  or  laminae  an  enormous 
number  of  blood  vessels  are  situated;  this  fact  accounts  in  a  great 
measure  for  the  agonizing  pain  experienced  by  a  horse  that  is 
the  subject  of  this  disease,  as  the  blood  vessels  become  engorged 
with  an  excess  of  blood,  which  of  necessity  results  in  considerable 
swelling  of  the  sensitive  structures,  and  these  being  enclosed 
within  the  unyielding  wall  of  horn,  from  which  there  is  no 
escape,  great  pressure  is  brought  to  bear  upon  them,  the  con- 
gested vessels  can  obtain  no  relief,  hence  the  extreme  pain  and 
agony.  All  practical  horsemen  know  that  when  a  horse  has  been 
the  subject  of  a  severe  attack  of  inflammation  of  the  foot  it  is  no 
unusual  thing  for  the  animal  to  have  what  is  called  "dropped 
sole,"  and  it  may  be  interesting  to  know  how  this  comes  about; 
whenever  blood-vessels  are  congested  with  an  undue  quantity  of 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDON'S,  LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  299 

blood,  a  condition  that  precedes  and  attends  inflammatory  action 
in  whatever  part  of  the  body  it  is  present,  an  exudation  of  the 
fluid  constituents  of  the  blood  takes  place;  this  fluid,  which  escapes 
from  the  blood  vessels  must  find  room  somewhere,  and  in  laminitis 
it  occupies  the  spaces  between  the  sensitive  and  horny  laminae; 
this  exudate  or  fluid,  as  it  increases  in  quantity,  ultimately  presses 
upon  the  anterior  portion  of  the  os  pedis  (bone  of  the  foot)  and 
so  forces  it  in  a  downward  direction,  at  which  point  the  bone 
presses  upon  the  sole,  which  as  time  goes  on  loses  its  normal  con- 
cave shape  and  becomes  convex,  assuming  the  characteristic  bulg- 
ing appearance  and  condition;  the  pressure  which  is  thus  brought 
to  bear  upon  the  sensitive  sole  interferes  with  its  secretory  powers 
and  the  horn  becomes  consequently  degenerated  and  thin,  ulti- 
mately resulting  in  protrusion  of  the  pedal  bone;  a  case  that  has 
gone  to  such  extremes  maj-  fairly  be  looked  upon  as  hopeless. 
Without,  however,  going  to  such  an  extreme,  the  inflammation 
by  proper  treatment  may  be  induced  to  subside  and  the  exudate 
which  has  been  thrown  out  will  become  partially  or  entirely  re- 
absorbed; but  the  most  favorable  cases  and  successful  cures  bear 
the  distinguishing  marks  of  laminitis  by  reason  of  an  extension 
of  the  inflammation  to  the  coronary  band,  the  part  where  the 
horn  is  secreted  and  grows,  something  like  the  quick  of  the  nail, 
as  it  is  called,  in  the  human  subject;  this  inflammatory  process  of 
the  coronary  band  gives  rise  to  that  ribbed  or  ringed  condition  of 
the  horn  frequently  observed  on  the  hoofs  of  horses;  we  do  not 
wish  to  imply  that  all  horses  that  have  ringed  hoofs  have  been  the 
subjects  of  laminitis,  but  when  the  rings  are  very  prominent  and 
noticeable  there  is  some  reason  for  suspicion,  and  a  person  before 
purchasing  a  horse  with  these  marks  should  thoroughly  satisfy 
himself  that  the  animal  is  in  this,  as  in  all  other  respects,  sound 
and  in  good  health,  and  particularly  note  the  condition  of  the 
soles,  in  order  to  be  sure  that  they  are  of  normal  concave  shap^. 
Laminitis  owes  its  origin  to  several  causes,  most  of  which  are 
preventable  by  the  exercise  of  ordinary  care  on  the  part  of  the 
owner  and  stableman;  among  the  various  causes  are:  standing  in 
constrained  position  for  a  great  length  of  time  on  board  ship  or  a 
railway  train;  over  exertion  in  hot  weather;  partaking  of  large 
quantities  of  heating  or  improper  food,  such  as  wheat;  drinking 
cold  spring  water  in  large  quantities  when  ov'erheated  or  much  ex- 


200  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

hausted;  exposure  to  a  draught  or  chill  of  cold  air;  inflammation 
of  the  internal  organs,  such  as  the  lungs  and  bowels,  has  been 
known  to  precede  an  attack  of  laminitis;  sharp  galloping  on  a 
hard  road.  L,arainits  may  attack  either  the  feet  of  the  fore  or 
the  hind  limbs,  but  it  is  rare  for  all  four  to  be  affected  at  one  and 
the  same  time;  the  two  fore  feet  are  more  frequently  the  seat  of 
inflammation  than  the  hind  ones. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  exceedingly  lame  and  hardly  capable 
of  moving;  when  located  in  the  fore  feet  these  are  advanced  and 
what  pressure  is  brought  to  bear  on  them  is  confined  to  the  heels; 
the  hind  feet  are  drawn  forward  and  upon  them,  as  much  of  the 
weio-ht  of  the  body  as  is  possible  is  centred;  the  horse  stands  as 
it  were  ''  all  of  a  heap;''  when  called  upon  to  move  the  animal 
sways  himself  to  and  fro,  rears  up  as  it  were  on  his  hind  legs, 
carrying  the  front  legs  forward  with  a  swing  and  plants  them  on 
the  ground  very  cautiously.  When  the  hind  feet  are  affected  the 
horse  stands  with  all  four  feet  together  under  the  median  line  of 
the  abdomen.  A  horse  wdth  laminitis  rarely  stands  long  at  a  time 
if  the  opportunity  is  afforded  him  to  lie  down. 

The  pulse  is  rapid,  70  to  80  beats  a  minute;  the  respirations  are 
quicker  than  usual,  and  with  nostrils  dilated  he  blows  hard;  the 
body  temperature  rises  to  104  degrees  or  105  degrees;  the  feet  are 
exceedin<?ly  hot,  and  very  tender  to  the  touch  when  knocked. 

Treatment. — Aconite  3X,  in  the  first  place  in  hourly  doses; 
-indeed,  except  where  complications  arise,  it  is  rarely  requisite  to 
give  any  other  remedy  while  the  fever  lasts;  we  advocate  the 
removal  of  the  shoes,  and  putting  the  feet  into  hot  water  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour,  after  which  large  poultices,  consisting  of  equal 
parts  of  linseed  meal  and  bran  should  be  applied  as  hot  as  they  can 
be  born;  outside  the  poultice,  which  should  be  rendered  thoroughly 
moist  and  soft  with  plenty  of  hot  water,  a  piece  of  waterproof 
material  should  be  fastened  to  keep  the  application  hot  and  moist; 
if  two  or  three  teaspoonfuls  of  the  mother  tincture  of  Aconite  be 
added  to  the  poultice  where  the  same  comes  into  apposition  with 
the  soft  skin  of  the  heel,  much  benefit  will  accrue;  these  poultices 
should  be  renewed,  together  with  the  fomentation  of  hot  water 
three  times  in  twelve  hours.  The  bed  upon  which  the  horse 
stands  when  he  does  get  on  to  his  feet,  should  be  some  soft  mate- 
rial like  moss  peat,  and  there  should  be  plenty  of  it;  but  the  ani- 


SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,   LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  301 

mal  may  be  allowed  with  advantage  to  remain  in  a  recumbent 
position  as  much  as  possible.  After  the  fever  and  tenderness  have 
passed  away,  and  the  horse  is  able  to  stand  and  move  about,  a  jet 
or  stream  of  cold  water  for  half  an  hour  at  a  stretch  may  with 
advantage  be  allowed  to  play  upon  the  feet,  and  this  procedure 
should  be  repeated  twice  a  day.  As  soon  as  the  temperature  of 
the  body  has  gone  back  to  10  r  degrees  and  the  general  febrile 
symptoms  have  commenced  to  abate,  recourse  should  be  had  to 
the  application  of  Arnica  lotion,  by  hand-rubbing  the  coronets 
therewith,  and  keeping  the  pasterns,  coronets,  and  hoofs  clothed 
with  some  thick,  soft  material,  which  should  be  constantly  sat- 
urated with  Arnica  lotion;  Arnica  3X  should  also  be  adminis- 
tered internally  three  or  four  times  a  day,  to  favor  the  speedy  reso- 
lution of  the  exudate  already  referred  to.  Some  weeks  must  be 
allowed  to  elapse  after  convalescence  before  anj^  attempt  is  made 
to  put  on  the  shoes,  otherwise  a  1  elapse  will  probably  take  place, 
as  the  result  of  concussion  which  must  be  produced  b}^  nailing  on. 

Sandcracks,  Seedy  Toe  and  Corns  usually  call  for  some 
surgical  interference  w-hich  a  layman  could  hardly  be  expected  to 
undertake;  but  thrush,  which  consists  of  the  discharge  of  a  foetid 
fluid  from  an  unhealthy  frog  can  best  be  cured  by  application  of 
dry  powdered  Calomel  and  the  internal  administration  of  Arseni- 
cum album  3x  three  times  a  day. 

Canker,  or  a  diseased  condition  of  the  sensitive  secretory 
laminae  of  the  sole,  is  a  very  intractible  disorder  that  certainly  de- 
mands surgical  interference,  which  only  a  competent  veterinary 
surgeon  is  capable  of  performing;  by  many  it  is  considered  an  incura- 
ble disease;  but  very  recently  Mr.  Malcolm,  of  Birmingham,  pub- 
lished full  particulars  of  a  system  of  treatment  which  he  had  adopted 
with  marked  success  among  the  horses  under  his  care;  very  satis- 
factory confirmatory  evidence  having  also  been  supplied  by  Mr. 
Edwin  Faulkner,  of  Manchester,  of  the  success  which  has  fol- 
lowed his  practice  of  this  system;  the  details  of  this  method 
appeared  in  iho:  Jozimal  of  Pathology  and  Therapeutics,  published 
by  Professor  Macfadyean,  of  the  Royal  Veterinar}'  College,  Lon- 
don; it  would,  however,  serve  no  useful  purpose  for  us  to  occupy 
space  with  describing  the  process,  as  the  operation  is  entirely  be- 
yond the  scope  of  an  unprofessional  man;  if,  however,  the  disease 
be  detected  in  the  early  stages,  it  may  be  arrested  b}^  having  the 


302  VKTHKIXAKV    HOIVICEOPATHY. 

unhealtliy  horn  carefully  pared  awa>-,  aud  the  parts  dressed  with 
crude  powdered  white  arsenic,  and  the  administration  internally, 
three  times  a  day,  oi  Arsoiicum  album  3X;  it  may  be  necessary 
to  pare  away  the  unhealthy  horn  every  day  and  to  redress  with 
the  ichite  arsenic  as  frequently,  in  order  to  keep  the  agent  well 
applied  to  the  affected  parts;  pledgets  of  tow  should  be  applied, 
and  these  may  be  kept  in  position  by  inserting  crosswise  strips  of 
wood  or  iron  and  fixing  same  under  the  shoes;  but  this  dressing 
must  not  be  applied  consecutively  without  intermission  or  it  will 
destroy  the  secretive  powers  of  the  sensitive  sole.  Under  such 
circumstances  the  animal  need  not  remain  idle,  as  some  work  is 
beneficial,  exercise  being  advantageous;  this,  with  good  dry  food 
and  strict  cleanliness  in  the  stable,  will  contribute  towards  a  satis- 
factory cure.  So  soon  as  the  diseased  process  seems  to  be  arrested, 
the  sole  should  be  dressed  with  tar,  and  pledgets  of  tow  saturated 
also  with  tar,  should  be  applied,  so  as  to  bring  some  pressure  to 
bear  upon  the  parts  as  the  horse  walks. 

QuiTTORS  are  due  to  injuries  of  the  feet  internalh',  whereb}'  in- 
flammation, followed  by  suppuration,  is  set  up;  as  the  injury  de- 
velops into  suppuration,  the  matter  which  is  unable  to  find  an 
exit  spreads,  and  small  sinuses  (or  tubes)  are  formed,  and  extend 
until  an  abscess  arises  about  the  coronet;  this  bursts  and  leaves  a 
little  orifice  out  of  which  purulent  and  foetid  matter  exudes;  as  a 
rule  this  description  of  wound  requires  the  attention  of  a  skilled 
surgeon,  for  unless  it  is  probed  to  the  very  bottom,  and  the  neces- 
sary applications  are  brought  to  act  upon  the  whole  course  of  the 
sinuses,  whatever  depth  or  direction  they  take,  a  cure  is  impossi- 
ble; to  effect  this  thoroughly  it  is  sometimes — nay,  very  often — 
necessary  to  lay  them  open  with  an  instrument  specially  manu- 
factured for  the  purpose;  when  the  sinus  has  been  probed  to  its 
bottom,  and  if  necessary  laid  open,  the  best  dressing  to  be  applied 
is  a  strong  solution  of  Bichloride  of  Mercury,  one  part  to  eight  of 
water,  but  to  keep  this  in  solution  will  require  the  addition  of 
some  Hydrochloyic  acid. 

A  quittor  is  always  productive  of  great  pain  and  suffering, 
therefore  complete  rest  is  an  absolute  necessity. 

This  will  complete  our  consideration  of  diseases  affecting  the 
foot  of  the  horse,  as  being  sufficient  for  the  purposes  of  this  work; 
we  have  dealt  with  those  most  frequently  occurring  and  easily 


.SPRAINS  OF  TENDONS,  LIGAMENTS  AND  MUSCLES.  303 

recognized  by  the  amateur  horseman,  and  we  are  of  opinion  that 
no  good  purpose  would  be  served  by  attempting  to  treat  of  the 
more  occult  and  less  frequently  presented  forms  of  disease  that  are 
occasion?liv  the  causes  of  lameness. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EYES. 


These  are  not  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  horse,  but  when 
they  do  present  themselves  are  mainly  limited  to  three  causes, 
viz. ,  injuries  due  to  blows;  the  presence  of  a  foreign  body,  such  as 
hay  seeds  or  portions  of  chaff;  and  cold.  In  byegone  times  horses 
were  frequentl}'  the  subjects  of  inflammation  of  one  or  both  eyes 
by  reason  of  the  unhealthy  condition  of  stables;  but  since  owners 
have  awoke  to  the  necessity  of  studying  the  comfort  and  well- 
being  of  their  animals  by  providing  more  light  and  more  sanitary 
arrangements  the  occurrence  of  this  disease  is  rare.  Ophthai^mia 
is  a  term  generally  used  to  define  the  presence  of  inflammation  of 
the  conjunctiva,  a  fine  membrane  that  lines  both  the  eyelids 
and  the  front  of  the  eyeball;  ophthalmia  may  arise  as  the  result 
of  any  of  the  causes  we  have  already  referred  to;  in  former 
times  one  form  of  this  disease  was  described  as  periodic  ophthalmia, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  it  frequently  recurred,  but  this  we  attribute 
to  the  unsanitar}^  conditions  of  the  stables,  and  the  cause  that 
provoked  the  first  attack  was  likewise  accountable  for  those  that 
followed,  and  the  repeated  recurrence  of  the  attacks  were  respon- 
sible for  the  production  of  complete  blindness  in  cases  not  a  few. 

Ophthalmia  that  is  due  to  injuries — such,  for  instance,  as  the 
blow  from  a  whip  lash,  or  to  the  presence  of  a  foreign  body,  is 
easily  accounted  for  and  with  equal  readiness  successfully  treated; 
the  presence  of  a  foreign  body  demands  its  careful  removal,  and 
once  discovered,  nothing  answers  better  for  this  purpose  than  a 
bird's  feather;  after  the  removal  is  effected  the  organ  should  be 
fomented  with  hot  water,  and  a  weak  lotion  of  Arnica,  one  in 
twenty,  applied  with  a  piece  of  sponge;  when  the  inflammation  is 
set  up  by  a  blow  or  an  injury  of  any  kind,  frequent  fomentations 
should  be  adopted  and  a  compress  of  Arnica  lotion,  about  one  in 
twelve,  applied;  the  compress  can  be  kept  in  position  by  a  piece 
of  linen  cut  to  the  shape  of  the  head  with  holes  to  pass  over  the 
ears  and  tapes  to  tie  round  the  jaw. 

304 


DISEASES   OF   THE    EYES.  305 

Ophthalmia  which  is  due  to  cold  or  some  constitutional  cause,  as 
is  sometimes  the  case,  requires  treating  according  to  general  symp- 
toms, as  follows: 

Aconite  3X  when  the  pulse  is  quick,  the  skin  dry  and  the  tem- 
perature at  all  higher  than  normal. 

Belladonna  3X. — Evident  pain,  swelling  and  redness  of  the 
white  parts;  dryness  of  the  membrane  of  the  eyeball;  intolerance 
of  light. 

Euphrasia  ix  is  par  excellence  the  remedy  when  there  is  a  pro- 
fuse secretion  of  tears;  great  sensitiveness  to  light;  a  tendency  to 
rub  the  eye,  as  though  it  itched  or  stung,  and  especially  when  the 
lachrymal  secretion  flows  down  the  nostrils. 

Argentiim  nitricuin  3X  for  old-standing  and  chronic  cases,  when 
the  lachrj-mal  secretion  is  no  longer  thin,  but  has  asumed  a  thick 
and  purulent  condition. 

Mercurius  corrosivus  3X. — In  acute  forms  of  the  disease,  when 
the  animal  has  an  evident  dread  of  light,  and  when  the  glands 
between  the  jaws  and  around  the  throat  are  swollen. 

Arsenicnin  album  3X  for  w'eak,  emaciated  animals,  and  when 
the  inflammation  is  obstinate  and  intractable;  the  lachrj-mal  secre- 
tion is  acrid  and  as  it  were  burns  the  skin  over  which  it  flows;  light 
aggravates  the  condition  and  produces  an  increased  flow  of  the 
secretion;  the  horse  shakes  his  head  every  now  and  again  as 
though  it  experienced  paroxysms  of  stabbing  pain  in  the  eyeballs. 

Accessory  Measures. — The  eyes  should  always  and  regularly 
be  fomented  with  warm  water,  any  agglutinated  secretion  should 
be  carefully  washed  away,  and  when  Aconite,  Belladonna  and 
Euphrasia  are  indicated,  a  compress  saturated  with  a  lotion  of  the 
remedy — about  one  in  twelve — should  be  applied  to  the  eyes  as 
before  directed.  In  those  cases  where  Argentiim  nitricum  is  indi- 
cated a  solution  made  by  dissolving  two  grains  of  Nitrate  of  Silver 
in  an  ounce  of  distilled  water  should  be  introduced  over  the  eye- 
balls and  under  the  eyelids,  with  a  camel' s-hair  brush,  night  and 
morning. 

Parasites. — A  worm  is  occasionally  observed  floating  about  in 
the  humor  of  the  eye,  especially  among  horses  in  India  and 
Canada;  the  symptoms  are  those  of  inflammation,  there  is  an  in- 
tolerance of  light  and  the  eyelids  are  kept  closed;  it  is  prevalent 
among  horses  that  are  allowed  to  run  loose  in  low,  humid  situa- 


3o6  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

tions  where  stagnant  water  is  found  in  abundance.  The  onl>' 
satisfactory  method  of  treatment  in  such  cases  is  to  puncture  the 
eyeball  and  allow  the  parasite  to  escape  with  the  aqueous  humor; 
this  operation,  however,  should  not  be  attempted  by  a  layman,  or 
permanent  injury  to  the  organ  would  most  probably  be  the  result. 

Fungus  H^Ematodes  is  a  form  of  disease  that  we  have  on  several 
occasions  met  with;  it  consists  of  a  dark  vascular  tumor,  of  a 
malignant  character,  that  forms  at  the  back  of  the  eye,  and  unless 
arrested  spreads  until  the  whole  of  the  eyeball  and  sometimes  the 
bones  which  help  to  form  the  socket  of  the  eye  are  involved;  the 
cases  that  have  come  under  our  notice  were  all  so  far  advanced 
that  we  made  no  effort  to  treat  them  medicinally,  but  performed 
the  operation  of  removal  of  the  whole  organ;  and  after  the  heal- 
ing of  the  parts  was  completed  one  case  was  furnished  with  an 
artificial  eye  that  answered  the  purpose  of  concealing  the  unsightl}^ 
appearance  which  an  empty  socket  presents. 

Could  the  disease  be  discovered  in  its  earlier  stages,  and  before 
it  had  invaded  the  organ  too  far,  we  should  think  thaXPhosphonis 
3x  and  Hydrastis  ix  might  be  administered  with  some  good  pros- 
pect of  arresting  further  development  and  so  affecting  a  cure. 

Cataracts  are  opacities  of  the  crystalline  lens  or  its  capsule,, 
which  prevent  the  rays  of  light  from  passing  on  to  the  retina  and 
thus  produce  complete  blindness  or  imperfect  sight;  it  is  under 
the  latter  condition  that  horses  are  rendered  somewhat  dangerous, 
especially  to  inexperienced  drivers,  from  the  tendency  to  shy,  a 
habit  which  is  due  to  the  inability  of  the  animal  to  properly  dis- 
cern various  objects  on  the  road.  In  this  country  cataracts  are 
attributed  to  frequent  attacks  of  ophthalmia;  whether  this  is  cor- 
rect or  not  we  are  unable  to  say;  but  we  confess  to  being  some- 
what sceptical  about  it ;  on  the  other  hand  it  is  generally  admitted 
that  cataracts  of  one  or  both  eyes  develop  independently  of  any 
preceding  inflammation;  it  is  hardly  possible  to  positively  diagnose 
the  presence  of  cataracts  without  the  aid  of  the  ophthalmoscope; 
the  majority  of  veterinary  surgeons  claims  to  be  able  to  recognizp 
the  condition  without  the  aid  of  this  instrument,  but  for  our  own 
part  we  prefer  to  rely  upon  more  positive  evidence  than  is  obtain- 
able by  trusting  to  our  unaided  sight.  In  the  human  subject 
cataract  is  said  to  be  due  to  various  cau.ses,  viz. ,  to  diabetes;  to 
old  age;  in  association  with  some  established  constitutional  disease; 


DISEASES    OF   THE    EYES.  307 

to  injury;  to  matters  congenital  dating  from  birth;  and  to  de- 
fective nutrition.  As  a  rule  cataracts  develop  slowh'  and  gradu- 
all}'  and  for  some  time  the  patient  sees  more  or  less  distinctly;  if, 
however,  a  horse  that  had  not  previously  been  guilty  of  the  habit 
of  shying  when  on  the  road  takes  to  doing  so,  it  would  be  wise  to 
have  the  eyes  carefulh'  examined  by  an  experienced  veterinary 
oculist,  and  if  in  the  opinion  of  such  a  practitioner  a  cataract  is 
forming,  medical  treatment  should  be  commenced;  among  oph- 
thalmic specialists,  as  a  rule,  surgical  measures  onl\-  are  relied  upon; 
the  idea  of  dissolving  the  cataract^nd  clearing  up  the  lens  through 
the  instrumentalit}'  of  internal  medication  is  scouted  as  ridiculous; 
but  as  the  result  of  our  own  experience,  we  are  satisfied  that  such 
a  course  of  procedure  is  not  only  rational,  but  most  hopeful;  more- 
over, we  have  the  experience  of  Dr.  Burnett,  of  London,  who  has 
written  a  most  interesting  brochure  upon  the  subject,  that  he  has 
been  instrumental  in  curing  quite  a  number  of  well-established 
cases  of  cataract,  and  had  we  not  had  some  success  in  this  line 
among  our  own  patients  and  had  simply  to  rel}^  upon  the  experi- 
ence of  Dr.  Burnett  we  should  unhesitatingl}'  advise  the  practice 
he  so  ably  propounds;  such  experience  as  we  have  had  has  been 
among  dogs,  but  we  see  no  reason  wh}',  if  the  opportunity  offered, 
the  same  line  of  treatment  should  not  suffice  for  horses.  The  late 
Sir  David  Brewster  appears  to  have  formed  the  opinion  that  a  re- 
lationship existed  between  salinity  of  the  lens  and  the  origin  of 
cataract;  this  is  a  most  singular  fact,  as  Dr.  Burnett  seems  to  have 
arrived  at  a  similar  conclusion;  nay,  more  than  that,  he  advocates 
strongly  that  persons  with  a  tendency  to  cataract  should  discon- 
tinue taking  salt  with  their  food,  in  the  belief  that  salt  tends  to 
produce  cataract;  moreover,  Natriim  miiriaticum  (which  is  the 
homoeopathist's  name  for  salt  when  prepared  as  a  remedial  agent), 
in  high  attenuation,  is  the  remedy  which  Dr.  Burnett  prescribed 
for  several  of  the  cases  of  cataract  that  he  succeeded  in  curing, 
and  it  was  this  drug  that  we  prescribed  for  and  cured  several  dogs 
that  were  the  subjects  of  undoubted  cataract.  Dr.  Burnett,  how- 
ever, with  no  uncertain  sound,  prodaims  the  absolute  necessity  of 
not  relying  upon  any  specific  as  a  cure-all  in  different  cases  of  cata- 
ract; he  points  out  clearly,  like  the  true  homoeopath  he  is,  that 
every  case  must  be  treated  according  to  the  totality  of  symptoms, 
not  merely  those  that  do  exist,  but  those  also  that   have  existed 


308  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

years  before;  no  doubt  prescribing  with  such  precision  as  this  is 
all  important  in  the  human  subject,  while  it  is  well. nigh  impossi- 
ble among  the  lower  animals;  still  it  is  gratifying  to  know  by  ex- 
perience that  cases  of  this  description  do  yield  to  medical  treat- 
ment, because  the  surgical  procedures  now  in  vogue  for  the  removal 
of  cataract  cannot  possibly  be  resorted  to  among  our  patients,  and 
even  if  they  could,  we  should  never  be  adequately  remunerated 
for  performing  them. 

Treatment. — Being  satisfied  that  a  horse  is  the  subject  of  a 
cataract  WQ  should  recommend  the  daily  administration,  first  thing 
in  the  morning  before  any  food  or  water  are  given,  of  Nat  rum 
nmriaticum  12,  twenty  drops;  continue  this  course  of  treatment 
for  a  week,  and  then  discontinue  for  a  week;  alternating  in  this 
manner  for  one  month;  then  have  the  eye  examined  by  an  inde- 
pendent oculist  with  a  view  to  a  report  of  the  state  of  the  eye, 
after  which  resume  again;  if  at  the  end  of  two  months  no  im- 
provement is  apparent,  we  should  resort  to  Silicea  30,  twenty  grains 
once  daily  for  similar  periods.  Other  remedies  that  have  been 
recommended  for  cataractous  eyes  are  Belladonna  after  an  attack 
of  ophthalmia;  Calcarea  carb.  when  the  animal  is  naturall}'  ema- 
ciated and  poor;  S ulphiir \vhen  chronic  eruptions  of  the  skin  are 
present;  Mercurius,  Conium  and  Phosphorus,  the  selection  depend- 
ing of  course  upon  any  special  symptoms  to  which  these  remedies 
are  chiefly  applicable  in  addition  to  those  connected  with  the  eyes 
-more  immediately.  Entropium  or  inversion  of  the  eyelids,  and 
ECTROPiUM  or  eversion  of  the  eyelids,  are  occa.sionally,  but  rarely, 
observed  in  the  horse;  when  they  do  so  occur,  the  services  of  an 
experienced  veterinary  surgeon  should  be  called  in  to  perform  the 
necessary  operation  for  alleviation  of  these  respective  conditions. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EARS. 


We  have  never,  in  the  course  of  our  experience,  come  across  a 
case  of  disease  of  the  ear  in  the  horse,  and  with  the  exception  of 
occasional  injuries,  there  would  appear  to  be  nothing  calhng  for 
special  treatment  in  the  organs  of  hearing  among  the  equine  race. 


309 


OCCASIONAL  DISEASES. 


Poll  Evil  is  due  to  injury  or  violence  brought  to  bear  upon 
the  top  of  the  head;  it  may  be  caused  by  the  willful  act  of  some 
malicious  person,  .or  the  horse  itself  may  inflict  an  injury  by  sud- 
denly throwing  up  the  head  and  striking  it  against  a  cross  beam; 
while  by  some  it  has  been  attributed  to  the  habitual  use  of  a  Bear- 
ing rein.  Whatever  be  the  cause,  the  result  is  the  same — ^namely, 
inflammation  of  the  dense  connective  tissue  wdiich  lies  under  the 
skin  just  behind  the  ears;  as  the  consequence  of  the  inflammation 
suppuration  is  established,  a  large  swelling  is  formed  that  ulti- 
matel}'  has  to  be  opened  or  bursts  spontaneously;  in  con.sequence 
of  the  lowly  organized  character  of  the  dense  tissues  in  and  about 
this  part  of  the  head,  and  the  tendency  that  suppuration  has  to  go 
deeper  and  deeper  among  them  rather  than  come  to  the  surface, 
burst  and  discharge,  it  is  always  desirable,  by  means  of  hot 
fomentations  and  poultices  to  hasten  on  the  maturation  of  the  ab- 
scess and  then  open  it  wdth  a  free  incision  at  the  base  of  the  swell- 
ing and  thus  allow  the  matter  (pus)  to  escape.  In  some  cases  of 
long  standing  the  natural  tendency  which  pus  has  to  burrow  leads 
to  the  formation  of  deep-seated  fistulous  ulcers  which  take  the 
form  of  tubular  cavities  about  the  size  of  a  goose  quill;  therefore, 
when  an  abscess  of  this  description  has  been  freel}^  laid  open,  it  is 
still  necessar}^  to  examine  its  base  and  sides  with  a  vulcanite 
probe  to  discover  if  any  of  these  sinuses  exist;  if  so,  they  also 
must  be  laid  open  so  that  the  imprisoned  pus  may  obtain  an  exit 
and  the  whole  of  the  walls  of  the  sinuses  be  properly  dressed. 
One  good  dressing  of  the  solution  of  Bichloride  of  Mercury,  the 
same  strength  as  that  used  for  quittor,  will  frequently  serve  to 
arrest  the  tendency  to  form  pus  and  convert  the  whole  into  a 
healthy-looking  wound;  however,  should  the  one  dressing  not 
suffice,  it  must  be  repeated  at  about  half  the  strength,  and  should 
there  remain  any  sinuses  but  incompletely  laid  open  these  should 
be  carefully  injected  with  the  lotion  by  means  of  a  glass  syringe. 

'JIG 


OCCASIONAL    DISEASES  311 

Fistulous  Withers  are  precisely  the  same  sort  of  disease 
process  as  poll  evil  and  resemble  this  morbid  condition  in  all  re- 
spects except  the  locality;  the  withers  of  some  horses  are  so  ex- 
ceptionally prominent  that  unless  a  saddle  be  expressl)^  made  for  a 
particular  animal  it  fails  to  fit  properly,  and  contused  bruises  are 
the  natural  consequence.  Treatment  on  the  same  lines  as  for  poll 
evil  must  be  adopted;  while  in  both  diseases  much  benefit  will 
accrue  from  the  internal  administration  of  Silicea  6x,  three  times 
daily  until  the  wound  is  healed  up. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIN. 


We  shall  make  no  attempt  to  arrange  these  diseases  into  any- 
thing like  the  orders  and  distinctions  which  are  observed  by 
dermatologists  for  the  reason  that  the  study  of  these  disorders 
takes  a  much  more  simple  form  among  horses  than  it  does  in  the 
human  subject;  moreover,  such  forms  as  the  veterinarian  has  to 
deal  with  among  his  patients  seem  to  yield  more  readil}'  to  treat- 
ment than  do  many  of  the  varieties  observed  in  man;  so  far  as  our 
experience  goes,  and  we  can,  without  rendering  ourselves  charge- 
able with  egotism,  claim  to  have  had  a  fairly  extensive  one  in  this 
direction,  we  have  found  that  a  very  large  majority  of  cases  of 
skin  diseases  in  the  horse  are  due  to  parasitic  mange;  once  this 
gets  foothold  in  a  stable  there  is  no  telling  when  it  will  be  got  rid 
of,  unless  an  owner  is  willing  to  subject  himself  to  an  infinitude  of 
trouble,  so  infectious  is  this  disease  and  so  readily  is  it  conveyed 
from  one  animal  to  another;  at  the  proper  place,  when  mange 
comes  under  consideration,  we  shall  offer  our  schedule  of  instruc- 
tions, and  provided  they  be  carried  out  in  their  strict  integrity, 
the  disease  may  be  eradicated  from  a  stable  but  not  without;  one 
iota  of  omission  will  render  all  previous  efforts  fruitless  and  as 
though  they  had  never  been  conducted. 

In  the  first  place,  we  shall  refer  to  those  forms  of  skin  disease 
which  owe  their  origin  and  development  to  constitutional  causes, 
and  are  of  a  non-infectious  character. 

Erythema  is  an  inflammator)-  redness  of  the  skin  of  an  uni- 
form character  always  attended  by  heat,  and  occasionally  by 
swelling  and  irritation;  this  form  of  disease  is  due  generally  to 
cold,  wet,  friction  and  undue  pressure.  Cold,  wet  and  frost  are 
frequently  accountable  for  the  development  of  an  erythema  that 
results  in  the  long  run  in  cracked  heeus  and  mud  FEVER;  the 
former  requires  no  further  explanation,  but  in  the  latter,  which 
usually  comes  out  as  the  result  of  wet  and  frost,  the  skin  of  the 
legs,  arms,  thighs  and  surface  of  abdomen  are  considerably  swol- 

312 


DISEASES   OF  THE  SKIN.  313 

len,  the  parts  are  irritable  and  tender;  the  flexures  of  the  knees 
and  hocks  develop  cracks,  and  occasionally  a  serous  fluid  exudes 
therefrom;  these  conditions  are  described  commonly  as  mallex- 
DERS  and  SAivLENDERS;  under  these  circumstances  constitutional 
symptoms  are  developed,  as  evidenced  by  an  elevation  of 
internal  temperature  and  an  abnormally  rapid  pulse,  and  until 
these  febrile  sj^raptoms  are  relieved  the  local  manifestations 
show  no  signs  of  abatement. 

Treatment. — Aconite  3X  when  brought  on  through  cold,  chill 
and  wet;  when  temperature  is  elevated;  the  skin  dry  and  hot,  at- 
tended with  some  irritation  and  considerable  burning;  in  the  early 
stages. 

Rhus  toxicodendron  3X  for  itching  and  burning,  going  on  to 
vesicular  eruptions;  and  b}^  means  of  external  application  of  same, 
consisting  of  one  part  mother  tincture,  two  parts  of  glj^cerine  and 
nine  parts  of  water,  gently  dabbed  on  with  a  sponge  and  the  oper- 
ation repeated  night  and  morning. 

Graphites  3X  for  cracked  heels,  mai^i^enders  and  sai^len- 
DERS  when  the  surrounding  parts  are  dry  and  harsh  and  the 
cracks  exude  an  excoriating  discharge. 

Callendida  (-J  one  part,  glycerine  two  parts  and  water  three  parts, 
to  be  locally  applied  to  cracked  heels,  and  the  cracks  in  Mallen- 
DERS  and  Sali^enders;  to  be  applied  to  the  affected  parts  three 
or  four  times  a  day  with  a  sponge. 

Urticaria  is  a  form  of  skin  disease  not  infrequently  seen  in  the 
horse,  consisting  of  various  shaped  swellings  that  form  rapidl}- 
over  any  part  of  the  body;  the  swellings  var}'  in  size  from  that  of 
a  pea  to  a  walnut,  having  rather  flat  surfaces;  the  eruption  is  not 
unlike  the  wheals  formed  through  the  sting  of  a  nettle,  hence  the 
common  designation  NETTLE  rash;  it  is  accompanied  by  a  ting- 
ling irritation  which  causes  the  animal  to  bite  and  rub  it-self;  it  is 
considered  to  arise  as  the  cause  of  some  stomach  derangement; 
and  being  very  capricious,  sometimes  departs  as  rapidly  as  it 
came;  in  tho.se  cases,  however,  that  last  on  and  demand  treat- 
ment it  is  not  unusual  to  find  a  very  fine  outer  layer  of  the  skin 
peeling  off  after  the  febrile  symptoms  are  abated,  and  following 
upon  this  the  hair  falls  out  in  patches. 

Treatment. — Apis  3X  in  simple  cases  due  to  a  slight  chill  or 
exposure  in  the  burning  hot  sun. 


314  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Urtica  urens  B  applied  locally  as  a  lotion,  one  part  of  the  drug 
to  four  parts  each  of  methylated  spirit  and  water,  and  internally 
the  usual  dose  of  the  third  decimal  attenuation;  this  in  uncompli- 
cated cases. 

Antimonmm  criidum  3X  when  due  to  stomach  derangement  and 
the  tongue  is  thickly  coated  with  white  fur. 

Bryonia  3X  in  cases  where  the  rash  comes  out  quickly  and  de- 
parts as  rapidly  only  to  come  out  again  m  a  short  time;  this  is 
described  as  sudden  retrocession. 

Vera f rum  viride  0  for  outward  application  when  the  swellings 
or  wheals  are  extremely  tender  and  irritable;  one  part  to  four  each 
of  methylated  spirit  and  water. 

Accessory  Measures. — Much  relief  may  be  afforded  by 
sponging  the  horse  all  over  with  hot  water,  as  it  soothes  the  irri- 
tation and  renders  the  skin  more  amenable  to  the  action  of  the 
local  dressings.  Exposure  to  sudden  changes  of  temperature 
must,  for  a  time  at  least,  be  avoided;  great  cleanliness  in  the  body 
and  general  surroundings  must  be  observed;  moderate  exercise 
must  be  given  and  no  corn  of  a  more  stimulating  character  than 
oats  is  to  be  allowed, 

Simple  Eczema — non-contagio2is  and  thei'efore  non-parasitic — is 
characterized  by  more  or  less  redness  of  a  superficial  kind,  upon 
which  small  vesicles,  about  the  size  of  a  pin's  head,  form;  these 
alternately  burst,  discharge  a  serous  fluid,  after  which  the}^  seem 
to  run  together  and  over  a  more  or  less  extended  area  crusts  or 
scabs  form  and  dry.  Locally  a  good  deal  of  heat  and  irritation 
prevails,  and  successive  crops  spring  up.  The  chief  point  in  the 
treatment  is  to  commence  as  soon  as  the  vesicles  appear  and  before 
they  burst  and  discharge.  We  have  rarely  found  any  remedy 
beyond  Rhus  toxicodendron  necessary;  so  far  as  any  drug  can  be  a 
specific  this  is  in  simple  eczema.  Internal  administration  is,  of 
course,  a  sine-qua-non,  but  this  must  be  supplemented  by  the  out- 
ward application  of  a  lotion  consisting  of  one  part  of  the  mother 
tincture  to  eleven  of  water  and  be  frequently  dressed  over  the 
affected  areas;  should  the  disease  have  fullj^  developed  and  crusts 
or  scabs  have  formed,  an  ointment  consisting  of  Vaseline  eight 
parts,  Glycerine  two  parts  and  Rhus  tox.  one  part  should  be 
thoroughly  blended  together  and  applied  carefully  twice  daily. 

Eczema  Impetiginodes  is  a  form  of  this  eruption  often  seen 


DISEASES   OF   THE   SKIN.  315 

in  gross  constitutioned  cart  horses  that  have  much  hair  about  their 
legs;  it  is  commonly  called  grease;  the  disease  generally  origi- 
nates in  the  heels  and  hollow  of  the  fetlocks;  in  the  first  place 
vesicles  form,  these  are  rapidly  followed  by  pustules,  which  burst 
and  discharge  a  foetid,  unhealthy  pus;  the  hind  limbs  are  gener- 
ally the  seat  of  the  eruption,  which  as  it  develops  sets  up  an  in- 
flammation in  the  connective  tissue  around  the  back  tendons  that 
produces  considerable  tenderness;  here  a  further  crop  of  pustules 
spring  up,  these  discharge  and  the  secretion  irritates  the  skin 
over  which  it  flows,  producing  superficial  cracks  and  ulceration, 
until  large  fungoid  growths  are  formed,  commonly  known  as 
GRAPES;  these  fungoid  excrescences  are  supposed  to  be  due  to  the 
inflammation  of  the  sebiparous  (or  sweat)  glands,  and  ultimately 
— if  unchecked  or  imperfectly  treated — thej^  become  hard,  rounded 
elevations.  If  through  neglect  this  is  allowed  to  go  on  and  still 
further  affect  the  leg,  the  fibrous  tissue  becomes  alarmingly  thick- 
ened until  the  legs  are  such  a  size  that  it  is  termed  elephanti- 
asis. Whether  their  presence  is  accidental  or  otherwise  there  is 
no  doubt  that  in  cases  of  grease  of  long  standing  there  are  always 
present  large  numbers  of  snvaXX  parasites  called  acari,  and  before 
a  cure  can  be  effected  some  dressing  must  be  applied,  and  that 
thoroughly,  which  is  capable  of  destroying  these  parasites. 

The  exciting  cause,  in  the  first  instance,  is  doubtless  dirt  and 
neglect,  while  sometimes  improper  food  may  have  something  to 
do  with  it;  but  we  believe  the  main  cause  to  which  it  may  be  at- 
tributed is  constitutional  tendenc}'. 

Treatment  depends  entirely  upon  the  extent  to  which  the 
disease  has  attained;  in  the  first  place,  when  from  the  offensive 
discharge,  the  heat  and  swelling,  it  is  quite  clear  that  the  disease  is 
thoroughly  established,  it  is  necessary  to  poultice  the  leg  with  boiled 
turnips;  or  with  spent  hops  or  linseed  meal — anything,  indeed, 
that  has  a  tendency  to  soothe  and  soften  the  skin;  after  continuing 
this  for  a  day  or  two  the  legs  should  be  carefully  washed  with  some 
non-irritating  soap,  thereafter  dried  as  well  as  is  possible  and  the 
long  hairs  cut  off  as  closel}'  as  can  be  with  a  pair  of  scissors,  after 
which  an  ointment  of  Benzoated  zbic  should  be  applied  all  over 
the  affected  parts;  while  internally  Kali  bichromicum  3X  should 
be  administered  three  times  a  day.  If  in  a  few  days  this  does  not 
arrest  the  formation  of  the    offensive  discharge   and  induce  the 


3i6  VETERINARY   HOMOeOPATHY. 

sores  to  heal,  a  lotion,  consisting  of  Bichloride  of  Mercury,  one 
drachm  dissolved  in  sixteen  fluid  ounces  of  boiling  water,  to  which 
when  cool,  should  be  added  four  fluid  ounces  of  Glycerine,  should 
be  carefully  applied  three  times  a  day  with  a  soft  piece  of  sponge; 
this  will  effectually  destroy  all  the  acari  that  may  be  on  the  legs 
in  about  two  days;  a  small  quantity  only  of  this  lotion  must  be 
applied  at  one  dressing,  just  sufficient  to  cover  the  whole  affected 
surface,  but  not  more,  lest  the  Mercury  should  become  absorbed 
into  the  S3'stem.  After  the  acari  are  destroyed  the  treatment  ex- 
ternally may  revert  to  the  Benzoated  zinc  ointment;  but  if  this 
does  not  seem  to  do  the  desired  good,  while  the  itching  and  irri- 
tation is  very  intense,  an  ointment  of  Bismuth  nitrate,  one  part 
to  eight  of  prepared  lard,  while  internally  Croton  tiglium  ix 
should  be  administered  three  times  a  day.  In  old-standing  chronic 
cases  it  will  be  better  to  give  from  the  commencement  Arsenicum 
album  3x,  three  time  a  day,  and  bathe  the  legs  with  a  lotion  made 
by  mixing  Liquor  arsenicalis  (B.  P.),  one  ounce  in  a  pint  of  dis- 
tilled water,  and  frequently  applying  same  to  the  legs  and  that 
liberally. 

If  the  case  has  developed  into  one  of  grapes  it  will  be  well  to 
try  dressing  the  legs  with  a  lotion  consisting  of  equal  parts  of 
Tincture  of  Iodine,  Methylated  spirit  and  water,  and  to  administer 
internally  lodiiun  3X  three  times  a  day,  after  first  cleansing  the 
leg  with  poultices  and  washing  for  two  or  three  days. 

"Occasionally,  when  the  grapes  are  but  small.  Clematis  0,  in- 
ternally, and  externally  as  an  ointment  in  the  proportion  of  one 
part  of  the  tincture  to  eight  parts  of  vaseline,  will  be  found  effec- 
tual; it  is  hardly  possible  to  say  which  of  these  various  methods 
of  treatment  is  the  best;  it  is  not  easy  to  differentiate  between  the 
cases,  the  constitutional  symptoms  do  not  enable  one  to  readily 
distinguish  between  them,  nor  do  they  render  any  aid  in  dis- 
criminating that  which  is  most  appropriate. 

Accessory  Measures. — Much  aid  to  treatment  can  be  ob- 
tained from  careful  dietary;  during  the  summer  the  food  should 
be  confined  to  artificial  grasses:  but  in  the  winter  carrots,  pars- 
nips, turnips,  or  even  mangold  with  sweet  last  season's  hay  chaff , 
and  about  one- fourth  the  ordinary  allowance  of  corn  (oats). 
Twice  a  week  a  mash  consisting  of  boiled  linseed,  which  has  been 
gradually  simmering  for  three  or  four  hours,  mixed  with  a  suffi- 


SCABIES — MANGE.  317 

ciency  of  bran,  and  if  necessary,  to  make  it  palatable,  a  small  quan- 
tity of  condiment  like  Thorley's  food  may  be  added.  When  the 
legs  are  washed  soft  water  should  be  used.  Out  of  door  exercise 
is  desirable  when  led  by  hand,  but  ordinary  work  should  not  be 
attempted.  Great  cleanliness  must  be  observed  in  the  stable,  and 
if  it  can  be  obtained,  moss  peat  should  be  used  instead  of  straw 
for  bedding. 

SCABIES— MANGE 

Is  a  contagious  form  of  skin  disease  which  is  due  to  the  presence 
of  one  of  the  minute  microscopical  animal  parasites;  of  these  there 
are  three  kinds  which  attack  the  horse;  the  sarcoptes,  which  bur- 
row under   the   epidermis   into   the  substance   of  the   skin;    the 
SYMBioTES  which  congregate  in  goodly  numbers  but  only  pene- 
trate the  superficial  layers  of  the  epidermis;  and  the  dermato- 
DECTES  that  cHng  about  the  hairs  and  bite  the  skin;  the  result  of 
the  irritation  set  up  by  the.se  parasites  is  the  production  of  a  serous, 
fluid  and  it  is  supposed  to  be  this  serosity  which  the  creatures  live 
upon.     The  sarcoptes,  from  their  habit  of  burrowing  under  the 
epidermis,  render  the  methods  of  treatment  more  diSicult,  as  the 
females  lay  their  eggs  in  long  channels  or  galleries,  and  unless 
the  agent  that  is  u.sed  for  the  destruction  of  the  parasite  pene- 
trates to  the  depth  of  these  galleries  and  dissolves  the  eggs,  they 
will  in  all  probability  hatch  out  in  three  or  four  days  and  a  fresh 
batch  of  parasites  be  raised;  for   this   reason    it   is  occasionally 
necessary  to  dress  a  horse  a  second  or  even  a  third  time.     With 
the  two  classes  called  symbiotes  and  dermatodectes  the  treatment 
is  much  more  simple,  and,  as  a  rule,  one  dressing  sufl&ces.     The 
dermatodectic  scabies  is  considered  by  some  writers  to  be  more 
frequent  than  either  of  the  other  two  classes;  our  experience  does 
not  agree  with  this;  certainly  eighty  per  cent,  of  the  cases  we 
hare  treated  have  been  the  sarcoptic  scabies. 

Symptoms. — The  neck  and  shoulders,  mane  and  tail  are  the 
favorite  haunts  of  these  para.sites;  their  presence  is  indicated  by 
small  lumps  forming  in  the  skin  which  soon  burst  and  discharge 
an  acrid  fluid;  this  serous  fluid  dries  and  forms  a  scab;  in  a  short 
time  the  skin  feels  thicker  to  the  hand  and  assumes  a  wrinkled 
appearance;  wherever  the  exuded  fluid  touches  the  surface  of  the 
skin,  the  hair  falls  off  in  considerable  quantities;  at  all  times  the: 


3l8  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

hair  stands  on  end  and  gives  the  horse  a  very  ill-favored  appear- 
ance. These  parasites  may  certainly  be  said  to  be  prolific  in  their 
powers  of  reproduction;  after  sexual  intercourse  the  female  com- 
mences to  burrow  under  the  skin  and  is  said  to  deposit  one  egg  a 
day,  the  meanwhile  boring  her  way  under  the  epidermis;  having 
formed  a  canal  and  deposited  her  ova,  she  dies;  but  the  numerous 
eggs  she  has  laid  hatch  out  with  the  heat  of  the  horse's  body  in 
about  eight  to  ten  days,  and  by  five  weeks  these  youthful  parasites 
have  attained  sexual  maturity  and  immediately  commence  the 
process  of  reproduction;  from  these  facts  it  will  be  quite  clear  that 
only  a  comparatively  short  period  elapses  before  a  horse  is  covered 
with  these  troublesome  guests;  and  it  will  also  be  apparent  that  if 
one  sexually  mature  female  is  left  behind  after  treatment,  the 
whole  process  will  have  to  be  gone  over  once  more,  hence  the  im- 
perative necessity  for  thoroughness.  The  parasites  will  live  for 
some  weeks  apart  from  their  natural  host,  located  in  brushes,  on 
the  sides  of  stalls  and  mangers,  among  harness  and  clothing, 
indeed,  anywhere  or  in  anything  that  the  original  has  come  in 
contact  with  during  the  period  of  the  attack  of  the  mange;  the 
most  diagnostic  symptom  of  the  sarcoptic  variety  is  the  presence 
on  the  neck  and  shoulders  of  the  semi-circular  wrinkles  or  furrows 
in  the  skin.  Of  course,  it  goes  without  saying,  that  the  itching 
and  irritation  is  intense,  provoking  the  poor  horse  to  rub  and 
gnaw  himself  continually,  and  to  stamp  with  his  feet;  indeed,  at 
times  it  appears  well  nigh  driven  to  distraction. 

Treatment  of  the  hor.se  itself;  thoroughly  .saturate  the  coat 
from  head  to  tail  with  the  following  compound  mange  dress- 
ing, not  leaving  one  hair  without  the  application;  allow  the  dress- 
ing to  remain  on  three  whole  days  and  nights,  after  which  the 
horse  must  be  thoroughly  washed  with  hot  water  and  a  non-irri- 
tating soap  that  lathers  freely,  once  a  day  for  three  successive  days. 

Prescription,  for  mange  dressing:  Unguent  Hydrarg.  Fort., 
one  ounce;  Ol.  Terebinth,  eighteen  ounces;  Ol.  Pics,  ten  ounces; 
Hellebore  Alb.  pulv.,  one  ounce;  Sulphur  Flav.  pulv.,  two 
pounds;  Bolarmenia,  two  ounces;  dissolve  the  Unguent  Hydrarg. 
in  the  Ol.  Terebinth,  carefully,  and  add  sufficient  Ol.  Uini  to 
make  up  to  seven  pounds.  This  quantity  is  about  sufficient  for 
dressing  one  full-sized  draught  horse.  The  dressing  should  be 
constantly  shaken  while  being  applied  to  the  patient. 


SCABIES — MANGE.  319 

To  treat  the  horse  alone,  however,  will  prove  useless;  all 
brushes  and  clothing  that  have  been  used  for  and  about  the 
animal  should  be  burned;  the  stable  ought  to  be  fumigated  by  burn- 
ing powdered  Sulphur  over  a  charcoal  fire;  the  windows,  doors 
and  apertures  being  thorough!}'  closed  meanwhile;  the  fumigation 
should  be  kept  constantly  going  for  four  or  five  hours;  thereafter 
the  walls,  sides  of  stalls  and  mangers  should  be  thoroughly 
washed  down  with  a  solution  of  Bichloride  of  Mercury,  of  the 
strength  of  one  in  five  hundred;  with  this  solution  also  the  harness 
must  be  thoroughly  washed,  especially  the  collar  and  the  saddle 
pads;  also  the  shafts  of  the  conveyance  in  which  the  animal  may 
have  been  previous! }'  working;  the  clothing  of  the  stableman  who 
has  been  attending  the  horse,  ought  to  be  sent  to  the  cleaners  and 
properly  treated,  and  under  no  circumstances  should  this  man  be 
allowed  to  touch  other  horses  that  are  free  from  disease,  until  the 
patient  is  cured  and  his  clothes  are  cleaned,  for  the  contagion  is 
readily  conveyed  through  the  medium  of  clothing.  After  the 
patient  has  been  submitted  to  this  course  of  treatment,  it  should 
be  narrowly  watched  for  two  or  three  weeks,  and  in  case  of  any 
symptoms  of  irritation  remaining,  the  animal  should  again  be 
subjected  to  a  second  course.  Horses  are  occasionally  troubled 
with  LICE;  there  are  three  distinct  varieties,  but  it  is  a  very  rare 
•occurrence  to  find  them  upon  the  equine  race  unless  they  become 
infested  through  coming  in  too  close  contact  with  poultry,  in 
which  case  no  surer  method  of  destroying  the  invaders  can  be 
suggested  than  a  thorough  dressing  with  the  mange  compound 
already  given.  A  form  of  vegetable  parasite  of  a  contagious 
character,  the  tinea  tonsurans,  or  ringworm,  is  not  infrequently 
found  among  horses;  it  appears  in  the  first  instance  in  the  form 
■of  small  spots,  which  gradually  increase  and  appear  to  run 
together  or  coalesce;  ultimately  a  thin  crust  of  oval  or  circular 
shape  forms  of  a  pale  yellow  color  with  raised  edges.  No  little 
trouble  is  experienced  to  get  rid  of  this  disease,  for  it  would 
appear  that  the  development  of  the  parasitic  growth  is  fostered  by 
constitutional  tendencies,  and  it  does  not  appear  sufficient  to 
simply  use  dressing  that  will  destroy  the  fungus  alone,  the  ad- 
ministration of  internal  remedies  to  render  the  soil  less  favorable 
to  its  growth  is  required.     For  local  application  nothing  is  better 


320  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

than  blue  Mercurial  ointment;  while  internally,  Arsenicum  alburn^ 
Sulphur  and  Calcarea  curb   may  be  administered  with  advantage. 

INTERNAL  PARASITES. 

According  to  the  late  Dr.  Cobbold,  a  well-known  teacher  of 
Helminthology  at  the  Ro5'al  A^eterinary  College,  in  Ivondon  the 
species  of  parasites  that  infest  the  horse  are  fairly  numerous,  but 
their  importance  in  relation  to  disease  is  of  less  consequence  than 
is  the  case  with  some  other  orders  of  domesticated  animals.  Tape 
worms  are  rarely  found  in  the  horse  and  are  at  all  times  compara- 
tively small  in  size.  The  most  commonly  found  parasites,  are  the 
Ascaris  Megalocephala  a  long  round  worm,  and  the  Oxyuris 
Curoula  or  maw  worm;  these,  however,  are  with  comparative 
ease  got  rid  of;  the  former  by  a  few  doses  of  Aloes,  followed  bj"  a 
course  of  Sulphate  of  Iron  in  moderately  substantial  doses — say 
half  a  drachm  ever}^  other  day  mixed  with  the  usual  medical 
aromatics;  or  from  one  to  three  ounces — according  to  the  size  of 
the  animal — of  Oil  of  Turpentine  mixed  with  linseed  oil,  from  half 
a  pint  to  a  pint  will  generally  serve  to  destro}^  numbers  of  these 
large  parasites. 

For  the  maw  worm  whose  habitat  is  the  rectum  and  colon,  an 
enema  of  solution  of  Quassia  three  or  four  days  in  succession  will 
generally  dislodge  these  irritating  little  parasites,  whose  presence 
can  always  be  determined,  even  though  the  worms  are  not 
observed  among  the  faeces,  by  the  whitish  deposit  round  the 
fundament,  the  attention  being  first  drawn  to  the  horse  con- 
tinually endeavoring  to  rub  his  tail  against  the  sides  of  the  stall. 
The  internal  administration  of  Cina  3X,  night  and  morning,  for  a 
month  consecutively  has  a  very  favorable  influence  on  the  consti- 
tution and  doubtless  produces  such  a  healthy  state  of  the  mucous 
membrane  lining  the  intestinal  canal,  that  the  locality  becomes 
unfavorable  to  the  life  and  existence  of  these  parasites.  There  is 
one  torm  of  parasite  designated  the  Stroxgylus  Armatus  which 
gives  rise  in  old  horses  to  aneurisms  oi  the  mesenteric  artery;  but 
its  presence  is  not  easily  diagnosed  with  any  certainty  even  by 
specialists,  so  that  no  useful  purpose  would  be  served  by  attempt- 
ing to  suggest  a  prescription;  were  we  to  do  so,  seeing  that  it  is 
included  among  the  class  of  round  worms,  we  should  recommend 
a  long  course  of  Cina  3X  on  the  principle  already  laid  down.     lu 


INFLAMMATION. 


321 


the  article  upon  the  diseases  of  the  eye  passing  reference  was  made 
to  the  occasional  presence  therein  of  a  worm;  this  is  designated 
the  Filaria  papulosa,  and  as  already  stated,  the  only  method  of 
disposing  of  this  parasite  is  to  remove  it  by  operative  surgery. 
Although  it  is  almost  universally  deemed  necessary  to  destro}'-  the  in- 
ternal parasite  by  the  administration  of  some  drug  that  will  destroy, 
there  is  in  this  course  of  procedure  an  invariable  attendant  risk  of 
either  poisoning  the  host  or  producing  in  it  the  pathogenetic  action 
of  the  drug;  and  we  are  much  more  favorable  to  the  slower  and 
more  tedious  process  of  treating  the  host  with  a  long  course  of 
medicine  in  a  moderate  homoeopathic  attenuation  with  a  view  to 
constitutional  remedial  action;  as  has  already  been  said,  to  render 
the  intestines  or  other  locality  an  unfit  place  of  habitation  for  the 
parasite,  and  so  starve  it  out  as  it  were,  such  a  result  we  believe 
to  be  quite  within  the  region  of  possibility,  although  the  sugges- 
tion may  make  a  considerable  demand  upon  the  credulity  of  most 
persons;  it  goes  without  saying,  strong  drugs  cannot  be  adminis- 
tered for  the  destruction  of  worms  without  exercising  some  bane- 
ful influence  upon  the  horse;  for  instance,  although  oil  of  turpen- 
tine will  in  all  probability  effectually  destroy  a  large  proportion  of 
the  worms  present  in  the  animal,  there  is  a  great  risk  of  its 
setting  up  strangury.  Aloes,  in  sufficient  quantities  and  given 
often  enough,  will  without  doubt  clear  out  the  parasites,  but  its 
administration  for  this  purpose  is  very  likely  to  set  up  super- 
purgation  or  even  inflammation  of  the  intestines;  it  is  therefore 
worthy  of  serious  consideration  of  horse  owners  whether  it  is  not 
worth  a  trial  to  dispose  of  these  troublesome  and  undesirable 
guests  by  means  of  middle  measures;  as  already  indicated  Cina 
3x  is  a  successful  remedy;  Spigelia  ix  might  also  be  put  to  the 
test,  especially  if  giddiness,  colic,  lassitude  and  itching  at  the 
anus  are  marked  symptoms. 

INFLAMMATION. 

We  propose  to  offer  a  few  suggestions  upon  the  nature 
and  character  of  this  process,  because  in  the  first  place  it  is 
frequently  referred  to  in  the  course  of  this  work,  and  also  because 
such  indefinite  ideas  concerning  it  prevail  in  the  minds  of  laymen 
generally,  the  term  laymen  being  adopted  to  distinguish  between 


322  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

those  who  have  studied  medicine  and  qualified  and  those   who 
have  not. 

Inflammation,  as  used  by  horsemen,  stablemen  or  even  horse 
knackers,  is  applied  in  the  most  general  and  vague  manner  to  any- 
serious  case  of  illness  among  animals  that  proves  fatal;  if  you 
inquire  of  a  man  what  a  horse  died  of,  the  answer  as  a  rule  is 
"  inflammation;''  that  word  is  used  as  a  definition  with  which  to 
conjure;  it  is  referred  to  with  awe-inspiring  feelings,  as  though  an 
animal  that  is  once  the  victim  of  inflammation  cannot  possibly 
recover  save  by  fire  or  at  least  a  miracle.  A  horse  dies,  the 
carcass  is  removed  to  the  slaughterers  to  be  disposed  of;  on  being 
opened  it  is  discovered  that  the  lungs  are  black  in  color,  instead 
of  a  bright  pink  as  m  health;  the  blood  vessels  contain  blood  clots 
and  the  whole  organ  is  otherwise  surcharged  with  black-looking 
fluid;  the  slaughterman  at  once  pronounces  it  inflammation,  and 
the  groom  accordingly  leaves  to  report  this  sage  piece  of  informa- 
tion to  the  owner  of  the  horse;  he  in  his  ignorance  of  this  particu- 
lar subject,  is  perfectly  satisfied.  All  the  while  there  was  nothing- 
like the  semblance  of  inflammation  affecting  these  organs;  they 
were  congested  with  an  excessive  quantity  of  blood  it  is  true;  it 
may  be  that  during  life  congestion  to  a  certain  extent  existed,  but 
not  in  so  pronounced  a  condition  as  was  revealed  at  the  autopsy; 
the  large  quantity  of  blood  observed  in  the  lungs  was  the  result  of 
post  mortem  effects;  it  had,  in  point  of  fact,  gravitated  there;  had 
-a  precise  examination  been  made,  it  is  more  than  probable  that 
the  lung  on  that  side  of  the  animal  upon  which  it  lay  when  dying 
was  far  the  blackest,  and  contained  the  greatest  quantity  of 
clotted  blood  and  serum,  the  result  really  of  gravitation  and  noth- 
ing more;  there  was,  in  point  of  fact,  no  inflammation,  either  local 
or  general.  Perhaps  the  reader  will  say,  well!  if  this  is  not  in- 
flammation, pray  what  is  inflammation,  after  all?  So  far  as  we 
can  do  so  in  plain,  unconventional  language,  we  will  try  to  ex- 
plain; because  it  is  of  importance  that  he  who  treats  his  own 
horse  should  clearly  understand  that  the  process  is  a  definite  and 
precise  one  and  not  a  sort  of  generalized  condition  that  serves  to 
cover  all  the  most  serious  complaints  to  which  animals  are  subject 
in  one  comprehensive  name.  Inflamm^jtion  may  be  either 
GENERAL  when  me  enure  system  is  implicnf.ed,  or  local  when 
some  particular  organ  is  the  seat  upon  which  k*  main   force  is 


INFLAMMATION.  323 

concentrated.  The  exciting  causes  of  inflammation  are  various, 
among  which  the  following  are  included:  Mechanical  injury^  the 
result  of  a  wound  or  bruise;  chemical  irritants,  as  when  a  can- 
tharides  blister  is  applied  to  the  skin;  excessive  heat  or  cold,  as 
when  an  animal  is  exposed  to  sudden  and  extreme  changes  of 
temperature;  and  the  introduction  into  the  system  of  deleterious 
animal  products  like  bacteria. 

We  have  already  stated  that  inflammation  may  be  either  general 
or  local;  after  we  have  attempted  to  explain  the  actual  changes 
that  take  place  as  the  result  of  inflammation,  or  rather  that  are 
dependent  upon  the  condition  known  as  inflammation,  it  will  be 
seen  why  it  is  that  inflammation  of  the  local  order  occurs  much 
more  frequently  than  the  general;  by  this  we  wish  to  be  under- 
stood as  meaning  that  special  organs,  as  the  lungs,  kidneys,  liver, 
et  cetera,  and  very  frequently  only  limited  areas  of  these  organs 
are  more  often  the  seat  of  the  changes  involved  in  the  inflam- 
matory process  than  the  body  generally.  The  changes  which 
take  place  in  the  process  called  inflammation  involves,  ist.  The 
blood,  the  blood  vessels  and  the  circulation  of  the  blood.  2d. 
The  tissues  through  which  the  blood  vessels  so  affected  ramify 
and  extend. 

In  the  first  place  we  must  remind  the  student  what  the  compo- 
sition of  the  blood  is;  and  in  so  doing  shall  refer  onh'  to  its  three 
principal  constituents:  (a)  The  liquor  sanguinis  or  fluid  portion; 
(^b^  the  red  corpuscles,  and  (r)  the  white  corpuscles  or  leucocytes. 
The  red  corpuscles  are  circular,  convex  at  the  edges,  and  concave 
at  the  centres;  thej'  form  about  forty  per  cent,  of  the  entire  mass 
of  the  blood,  and  are  the  cause  of  its  color  and  density.  The 
white  corpuscles  are  far  less  numerous  than  the  red,  and  in  com- 
parative weight  much  lighter,  evidence  of  which  appears  when 
blood  coagulates  or  forms  into  a  clot,  the  light  colored  portion  al- 
ways coming  to  the  top;  the  shape  of  a  white  corpuscle  varies 
considerably;  if  a  single  drop  of  blood  is  placed  upon  a  glass 
slide,  covered  with  a  slip,  and  thereafter  examined  under  a  micro- 
scope, the  red  blood  cells  will  be  easily  discerned  by  their  shape 
and  also  by  their  movements,  they  keep  up  a  continual  .stream,  by 
rapidly  passing  from  one  end  to  another  of  the  slide,  while  the 
white  corpuscles  adhere  to  the  sides  of  the  slide. 

Whatever  maj'  be  the  cause   of  inflammation   its  consequen..es 


324  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

are,  as  regards  the  blood  vessels,  arteries  and  veins,  more  or  less 
dilatation,  which  gradually  increases  for  some  hours  and  then  for 
awhile  remains  stationary.  The  circulation  of  the  blood  in  the 
affected  area  is  marked  by  increased  rapidity  in  the  early  stages; 
after  an  excess  of  blood  has  flowed  into  the  affected  area  a  change 
takes  place;  the  rate  of  flow  slows  down  and  ultimately  this  is 
followed  by  stagnation;  an  unusually  large  number  of  red  cor- 
puscles are  crowded  into  the  space  so  invaded;  this  is  the  state  of 
affairs  so  far  as  the  central  area  is  concerned;  just  outside  the 
affected  zone  there  is  an  area  in  which  the  circulation  is  observ- 
able, though  sluggish  in  character,  while  on  the  outside  of  all  the 
current  of  blood  keeps  up  a  rapid  circulation,  as  though  to  com- 
pensate for  the  sluggish  and  stagnant  condition  of  the  central 
portion.  In  the  blood  itself  important  changes  are  effected;  the 
white  corpuscles  accumulate  in  the  vessels,  especially  the  veins, 
and  consistent  with  their  natural  tendency,  they  adhere  to  the 
-walls  until  layer  after  layer  is  formed  and  the  lumen  of  the  vessel 
is  blocked  up,  thus  bringing  about  a  stoppage  of  the  blood  flow; 
after  a  time  it  would  seem  that  they  migrate  and  ultimately  force 
their  way  through  the  walls  of  the  bloodvessels;  their  ability  to 
effect  this  change  of  location  is  due  doubtless  in  no  light  degree  ■ 
to  their  capacity  of  effecting  an  alteration  in  shape;  as  liberated 
white  corpuscles  they  are  known  by  the  name  of  leucocytes,  under 
which  condition  they  wander  about  among  the  surrounding  tissues; 
the  red  corpuscles  are  endowed  with  similar  capacity  to  segregate 
together,  and  to  effect  a  passage  through  the  walls  of  the  blood  ves- 
sels, chiefly  the  capillaries,  whose  walls  are  of  much  more  delicate 
fabrication  than  either  arteries  or  veins;  at  the  same  time  they  do 
not  migrate  so  freely  as  do  the  white  corpuscles.  The  liquid  por- 
tion of  the  blood  (or  at  all  events  some  of  its  consistent  elements) 
■exudes  through  the  vessels  and  spreads  itself  over  the  surround- 
ing tissues.  Now!  what  about  the  tissues  through  which  the 
blood  vessels  pass  and  among  which  the  blood,  that  has  wandered 
•out  of  the  vessels,  has  become  distributed;  passing  reference  must 
be  made  to  the  fact  that  muscle,  skin,  mucous  and  serous  mem- 
branes, and  all  other  tissues  when  reduced  to  their  primary 
elements  consist  of  cells;  it  is  these  cells  that  the  inflammatory 
process  acts  upon,  either  destroying  them  entirel3^  or  so  interfer- 
ing with  their  nutrition   that  thev  are  starved  and  die;  this  fact 


INFLAMMATION.  325 

"will  be  better  understood  if  we  call  to  mind  that  the  skin,  ov'er  an 
inflamed  sore,  dies  and  peels  off;  this  serves  as  an  illustration  of 
the  result  of  inflammation  when  it  proceeds  to  extremes  or  is  not 
arrested  by  medical  treatment.  The  foregoing  is  a  rough  and 
ready  statement  of  what  takes  place  during  the  development  of 
inflammation;  but  when  the  process  is  arrested  or  stays  its  pro- 
gress of  its  own  accord,  what  becomes  of  the  blood  corpuscles, 
white  and  red,  et  cetera,  which  have  got  out  of  their  normal 
channel  and  are  hence  nothing  less  than  foreign  products  among 
the  other  tissues  ? 

Something  must  be  done  with  them;  they  must  either  be  re- 
stored to  their  original  locality  or  be  disposed  of  in  some  way. 
The  term  resolution  is  applied  to  the  change  which  has  to  take 
place  in  order  that  nature  may  be  restored  to  her  original  state; 
resolution  consists  of  a  subsidence  of  the  vascular  disturbance;  the 
absorption  of  the  exuded  elements;  the  corpuscles  have  to  undergo 
a.  change,  similar  to  fatty  degeneration,  to  enable  them  to  be  re- 
absorbed into  the  blood  vessels.  The  fluid  portions  of  ihe  exuda- 
tion that  are  not  resolved  in  the  manner  referred  to  may,  according 
to  their  characteristics,  remain  among  the  tissues  or  collect  into  a 
:given  space;  while  these  and  the  corpuscles  also  develop  pus  and 
bring  about  what  is  known  as  the  suppurative  process;  the  pus 
collects  in  cavities,  or  invades  the  substance  of  tissues  and  organs, 
forming  abscesses;  while  still  further  results  of  inflammation  may 
l)e  enumerated  in  softening  and  general  destruction  of  affected 
tissues;  thickening  and  induration  of  tissues;  ulceration  and  death 
of  the  affected  parts. 

Whether  we  have  succeeded  in  producing  anything  like  an 
understandable  explanation  of  what  is  involved  in  the  inflamma- 
tory process  or  not,  we  trust  that,  at  least,  it  is  made  plain  that 
by  inflammation  of  this  organ  or  that,  something  more  than  a 
commonplace  change  has  been  effected,  and  that  the  term  is  not  a 
mere  vague  expression  without  any  definite  characteristics  of  its 
own. 


CODE  OF  COMMON 
SUGGESTIVE  SYMPTOMS. 


Abscesses,  internal. — Blood  Poisoning,  Pneumonia,  Pharyn- 
gitis. 

Abscesses  on  body. — Blood  Poisoning. 

Abscesses  at  root  of  tooth. — Caries. 

Abdomen,  enlarged  and  pendulous. — Drops}'. 

Action  when  lifting  legs  sharp  and  jerky  with  very  cau- 
tious putting  down  of  the  feet. — Shiverer. 

Anxious  countenance. — Congestion  of  I^ungs,  Asthma,  Gas- 
tritis, Rupture  of  Stomach,  Peritonitis. 

Appetite  capricious. — Chronic  Glanders,  Indigestion,  Dropsy, 
Diabetes  Insipidus. 

Appetite,  loss  of. — Simple  Fever,  Bilious  Fever,  Erysipelas, 
Glanders,  Weed,  Lymphangitis,  Purpura,  Bronchitis,  Pneumonia, 
Newmarket  Fever,  Possible  Poisoning,  Dysentery,  Congestion  of 
the  lyiver. 

Blood  dark,  does  not  form  clot. — Blood  Poisoning,  Purpura. 

Blood  spots,  small  on  nasal  membrane. — Purpura. 

Blood  oozes  from  swellings  about  body. — Purpura. 

Blood  drips  continuously  from  swellings. — Purpura. 

Body  covered  with  patches  of  cold  sweat. — Congestion  of 
Ivungs,  Palpitation,  Bowel  Obstruction,  Crebro-spinal  Meningitis. 

Bones  of  the  face  bulge  out. — Advanced  Nasal  Gleet. 

Breathing  becomes  weak  with  deep  sighing. — Rupture  of 
Stomach. 

Breath  drawn  in  easily  and  quickly. — Asthma. 

Breath  foul. — Bilious  Fever,  Erysipelas,  Caries. 

Breathing  irregular.  —  Carditis,  Meningitis,  Cerebro-spinal 
Meningitis. 

Breath  expired  with  difficulty. — x\sthma,  Heart  Disease. 

Breathing    rapid    and    distressed.  —  Pleurisy,    Newmarket 

327 


328  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Fever,  Palpitation,  Carditis,  Spasm  of  Diaphragm,  Flatulent  Colic, 
Lock-jaw. 

Breathing  quickened. — Simple  Fever,  Bilious  Fever,  Stran- 
gles, Er3^sipelas,  Glanders,  Farcy,  Anthrax,  Rheumatism,  Weed, 
Lymphangitis,  Rabies,  Purpura,  Common  Cold,  Laryngitis, 
Bronchitis,  Pneumonia,  Newmarket  Fever,  Aneurism,  Congestion 
of  the  Liver,  Mammitis. 

Champing  and  grinding  of  teeth. — Lock-jaw. 

Cheeks  swollen. — Calculus  in  Parotid  Duct  (.see  under 
Parotitis). 

Choke,  tendency  to,  from  swelling  around  throat.— Pur- 
pura. 

Constipated  bowels. — Bilious  Fever,  Purpura,  Pneumonia, 
Newmarket  Fever,  Enteritis,  especially  in  Foals,  Diabetes  In- 
sipidus, Cerebritis,  Meningitis. 

Constipation  accompanied  with  dry  cough — (See  under 
Nitric  Acid  and  Alumina  article  on  Constipation). 

Convulsive  struggles. — Anthrax,  Vegetable  Poisoning. 

Cough  soft. — Strangles,  Glanders,  Common  Cold,  Broken 
wind . 

Cough  hard  and  dry. — Laryngitis. 

Cough  short  and  dry. — Bronchitis. 

Cough  moist. — Pneumonia. 

Cough  short  and  catchy. — Pneumonia. 

Cough  difficult  and  painful. — Pleuris}',  Asthma. 

Cough  excited  by  exercise,  eating  or  drinking. — Broken 
Wind. 

Cough  accompanied  by  passing  of  wind  per  anum.  — Broken 
Wind. 

Cough  varied. — Sore  Throat. 

Delirium. — Anthrax. 

Discharge  of  blood  from  natural  outlets. — Anthrax. 

Difficulty  in  swallowing. — Sore  Throat. 

Drink,  constant  desire  to. — Temple  Fever,  Bilious  Fever, 
Lymphangitis,  Weed,  Common  Cold. 

Dropsical  swelling  of  legs  and  abdomen. — Dilatation  of  the 
Heart. 

Drumlike  state  of  abdomen. — Flatulent  Colic. 

Dropsical  effusions  in  the  breast. — Nephritis. 


CODE    OF    COMMOxX    SUGGESTIVE   SYMPTOMS.  329. 

Dropsical  effusion  of  the  penis. — Nephritis. 

Dullness,  lifelessness. — Chronic  Glanders,  Bronchitis,  Pneu- 
monia, Dropsy,  Congestion  of  the  I^iver. 

Emaciated   condition, — Aneurism,    Dysentery,    Diabetes  In- 
sipidus. 

Endeavors  to  balance  itself  on  its  back. — Enteritis. 

Eructation  of  gas  by  the  mouth. — Gastritis,  Indigestion. 

Eyes,  watery  discharges  from.— Common  Cold,  Pneumonia. 

Eyes,  staring  and  bloodshot. — Cerebritis,  Meningitis,  Cere- 
bro-spinal  Meningitis. 

Eyes,  swollen  and  red. — Influenza,  Common  Cold,  Conges- 
tion of  Lungs,  Pneumonia. 

Eyelids,  swollen  and  diffused. — Gastritis. 

Exhaustion,  indications  of. — Blood  Poisoning,  Asthma. 

Exhaustion  and  distress. — Carditis. 

Fsecal  evacuations  very  foetid. — Dysentery. 

Faecal  evacuations  with  blood. — Dysentery. 

Faeces  light-colored. — Bilious  Fever. 

Fore  legs  set  wide  apart. — Pneumonia,  Palpitation,  Lock-jaw. 

Fore  leg  flexed  and  resting  on  toe. — Rheumatism. 

Food  not  digested. ^Bilious  Fever. 

Food  imperfectly  masticated  dropped  in  manger. — Caries. 

Frequent  ineffectual  attempts  to  lie  down. — Colic,  Flatu- 
lent Colic. 

Giddiness. — Erysipelas. 

Glands    between    back    of  jawbone    and    neck    (parotid) 
swollen. — Parotitis. 

Glands  parotid,  swollen.— Laryngitis. 

Glands  between  jaws  swollen  and  hard — Glanders,  Nasal 
gleet. 

Glands  between  jaws   swollen  and   soft. — Strangles,  Nasal 
Gleet,  Laryngitis. 

Great  excitability. — Rabies. 

Grunting  on  being  turned  round. — Pleurisy. 

Gums  swollen  and  tender. — Lampas. 

Head  turned  (either  side)  pointing  to  region  of  uterus. — 
Metritis. 

Head,  inability  to  move  sideways. — Parotitis. 


330  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Head  turned  to  off  side  pointing  to  region  of  liver. — Con- 
gestiou  of  Liver. 

Head  hanging  down. — Congestion  of  Lungs. 

Head  leaning  on  manger, — Brain,  Teeth,  Caries. 

Head    pressed    against    \vall. — Anthrax,    Indigestion   with 
stupor. 

Head  poked  straight  out. — Larjnigitis,  Pneumonia,  Indiges- 
tion, Lock-jaw. 

Heaving  at  the  flanks— Influenza,  Pneumonia. 

Hiccough. — Spasm  of  Diaphragm. 

Hind  limbs  flexed  and  resting  on  toe. — Rheumatism. 

Hind  legs,  stiffness  of,  dragging  gait. — ^Nephritis,  Shiverer. 

Hind  fetlock  joints  knuckle  over. — Constipation,  Strain  of 
Psoas  Muscle. 

Hind  quarters  pressed  against  wall  of  stable. — Bowel  Ob- 
struction. 

Impatient  of  pain. — Bowel  Obstruction. 

Inability  to  swallow. — Strangles,  Laryngitis,  Glossitis,  Caus- 
tic Irritation,  Lock-jaw. 

Inability  to  open  mouth. — Lock-jaw. 

Joints  swollen,  hot  and  tender, — Rheumatism. 

Jugular  pulse. — Dilatation  of  the  Heart,  Carditis. 

Leaden  hue  of  mucous  membrane  of  nostrils. — Glanders, 
Farcy. 

Leg  swollen. — Dropsy. 
.  Legs  and  body  deathly  cold. — Congestion  of  Lungs. 

Legs  and  ears   very  cold. — Pneumonia,   Newmarket  Fever, 
Dilatation  of  Heart,  Enteritis,  Congestion  of  the  Liver. 

Lips  and  cheeks  swollen. — Lampas. 

Liquid  returns  through  nose  while  drinking. — Obstruction 
of  Gullet. 

Licking  stable  walls. — Gastritis,  Indigestion. 

Lies  down  for  a  few  minutes  only  at  a  time, — Dropsy. 

Lips  on  either  side  hang  pendulous, — Hemiphlegia. 

Loins  and  thighs,  muscular  spasms  of.  — Azoturia,  Shiverer. 

Loins  tender  on  pressure. — Metritis,  Mammitis. 

Looking   round   at  flanks. — Influenza,  Gastritis,   Bowel  Ob- 
struction, Nephritis. 

Loss  of  condition, — Glanders,  Farcy,  Indigestion. 


CODE   OF   COMMON   SUGGESTIVE    SYMPTOMS.  33 1 

Masticate,  inability  to, — Paralysis. 

Makes  a  noise  in  breathing. — Roaring,  Polypus. 

Mare  after  foaling  rests  full  upon  belly,  knees,  and  hocks 
well  under. — Retention  of  After-birth. 

Mare  stamps  her  feet,  swishes  tail,  and  postures  to 
urinate. — Retention  of  After-birth. 

Membrana  nictitans  of  eye  moves  spasmodically. — Lock- 
jaw. 

Mouth  dry  and  hot. — Enteritis. 

Mouth  and  tongue  cold  and  clammy. — Rupture  of  Stomach. 

Movements  of  hind  legs  cannot  be  controlled. — Azoturia. 

Mouth  hot  and  clammy. — Erysipelas. 

Movements  cannot  be  controlled. — Influenza,  Anthrax, 
Rabies,  Cerebro-spinal  Meningitis,  Shiverer. 

Muscular  spasms  in  various  parts  of  the  body. — Cerebro- 
spinal Meningitis. 

Muscles  hard  and  unyielding. — Rabies,  Eock-jaw. 

Nasal  membrane  red   and  dry. — Common  Cold,   Bronchitis. 

Nasal  discharge  thick  and  viscid. — Chronic  Glanders. 

Nasal  discharge  rusty  colored. — Pneumonia. 

Nostrils  dilated. — Influenza,  Pneumonia,  Eock-jaw. 

Nose  rested  on  seat  of  pain. — Bowel  Obstruction. 

Nose  mucus  discharge  clotted. — Nasal  Gleet. 

Nose  discharge  mixed  with  blood. — Nasal  Gleet. 

Nose  elevated. — Earyngitis. 

Nose  discharge  yellow. — Newmarket  Fever. 

Noise  creates  excitement. — Rabies. 

Paddling  with  the  hind  feet. — Traumatic  Peritonitis,  Cys- 
titis. 

Pain,  paroxysms  of. — Colic. 

Pain  and  great  uneasiness. — Rupture  of  Stomach,  Bowel 
Obstruction. 

Pain  in  abdomen,  constant. — Enteritis,   Peritonitis. 

Persistent  pawing  of  fore  leg  but  does  not  roll. — Gas- 
tritis, Indigestion,  Mineral  Poisoning,  Colic,  Traumatic  Peri- 
tonitis. 

Penis,  sheath  of,  excessively  swollen — cannot  protrude 
when  urinating. — Phimosis. 


332  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Penis  protrudes  beyond  sheath,  cannot  retract. —Paraphi- 
mosis. 

Pointing  with  nose  to  seat  of  pain. — Weed,  Peritonitis. 

Prostration. — Influenza,   Erysipelas,   Carditis,  Dysentery. 

Protrusion  of  the  anus.— Bowel  Obstruction. 

Pulse  rapid.— Simple  Fever,  Bilious  Fever,  Strangles,  Influ- 
enza, Erysipelas,  Rabies,  Glanders,  Farcy,  Rheumatism,  Blood 
Poisoning,  Weed,  I^ymphangitis,  Purpura,  Common  Cold,  I^aryn- 
gitis.  Bronchitis,  Pneumonia,  Newmarket  Fever,  Dysentery,  Con- 
gestion of  the  L,iver,  Nephritis,  Azoturia,  Mammitis. 

Pulse  rapid,  but  weak. — Anthrax. 

Pulse  rapid  and  hard. — Pleurisy,  Cerebritis,  Meningitis, 
Cerebro-spinal  Meningitis. 

Pulse  rapid  and  full. — Carditis,  Metritis. 

Pulse  rapid,  small,  and  wiry. — Pneumonia,  Gastritis,  Bowel 
Obstruction,  Enteritis,  Peritonitis. 

Pulse  rapid,  small,  and  weak. — Congestion  of  Leungs. 

Pulse  soft  and  weak. — Diabetes  Insipidus. 

Pulse  weak  and  intermittent. — Dropsy. 

Pulse  quick  and  thready. — Peritonitis. 

Pulse  intermittent  and  irregular. — Palpitation,  Dilatation  of 
the  Heart,  Carditis,  Aneurism. 

Pulse  tumultuous. — Palpitation,  Spasm  of  Diaphragm. 

Refuses  to  be  handled  about  mouth. — Lampas. 
'  Region  of  liver  just  behind   last  rib,  tenderness  on  pres- 
sure.— Congestion  of  Liver,  Nephritis. 

Respirations  thoracic. — Influenza,  Flatulent  Colic,  Periton- 
itis, Dropsy. 

Resting  on  breast  bone. — Indigestion. 

Restlessness  and  uneasiness. — Cerebritis,  Colic,  Meningitis^ 
Nephritis,  Peritonitis. 

Rolling  and  stretching. — Enteritis. 

Roof  of  mouth  swollen. — Eampas. 

Rolls  frequently. — Indigestion,  Bowel  Obstruction. 

Running  at  the  nose  and  eyes. — Strangles,  Influenza. 

Saliva  dripping  from  mouth. — Anthrax,  Caustic  Glo.ssitis» 
Influenza,  pampas,  Lock-jaw,  Foreign  Substances  in  Gullet,. 
Gastritis,  Mercurial  Poisoning,  Rabies,  Parotitis,  Strangles. 

Sediment  in  urine. — Rheumatism. 


CODE   OF   COMMON   SUGGESTIVE   SYMPTOMS.  333 

Shaking. — Anthrax,  Gastritis. 

Shivering  fits. — Simple  Fever,  Bilious  Fever,  Congestion  of 
Lungs,  Carditis,  Dysentery,  Enteritis,  Peritonitis,  Pleurisy,  Pneu- 
monia. 

Staring  coat. — Simple  Fev^er,  Bilious  Fever,  Influenza,  Ery- 
sipelas, Glanders,  Farcy,  Common  Cold,  Nasal  Gleet,  Bronchitis, 
Congestion  of  Lungs,  Indigestion,  Dropsy,  Diabetes  Insipidus. 

Standing  position  persistently  maintained. —  Carditis, 
Gastritis,  Hemiplegia,  Metritis,  Pneumonia. 

Stiff  gait. — Rheumatism. 

Stiffness  in  turning. — Aneurism. 

Stupor  with  partial  unconsciousness. — Indigestion. 

Stiffness  and  soreness. — Influenza. 

Straining  to  evacuate. — Bowel  Obstruction. 

Swelling  of  head,  nostrils  and  lips. — Purpura. 

Swelling  or  distension  down  groove  of  neck. — Gullet. 

Swelling  of  legs. — Erysipelas,  Aneurism,  Influenza,  Weed, 
Rheumatism. 

Swelling  about  legs  and  body  with  exudation  of  fluid  and 
blood. — Erysipelas,  Weed,  Purpura. 

Swelling  underneath  abdomen  that  pits  on  pressure. — 
Dropsy. 

Swelling  of  abdomen  w^ith  exudation  of  blood. — Anthrax. 

Swelling  of  hind  legs,  high  up  extending  downwards.— 
Lymphangitis. 

Sweating — iVnthrax,  Carditis. 

Swelling  of  skin,  tense,  bright  red  and  shining. — Erysipe- 
las, Weed. 

Swishing  of  the  tail. — Cystitis. 

Temperature  below  normal. — Diabetes  Insipidus,  Mineral 
Poisoning. 

Tail,  jerky  twitching  of. — Lock-jaw. 

Temperature  heightened. —  Bilious  Fever,  Simple  Fever, 
Weed  Strangles,  Influenza,  Rabies,  Erysipelas,  Glanders,  Farcy, 
Lymphangitis.  Rheumatism,  Blood  Poisoning,  Purpura,  Common 
Cold,  Laryngitis,  Bronchitis,  Pneumonia,  Newmarket  Fever, 
Pharyngitis,  Enteritis,  Dysentery,  Peritonitis,  Nephritis,  Azoturia, 
Metritis,  Mammitis,  Cerebritis,  Meningitis. 

Tenderness  over  region  of  liver. — Bilious  Fever. 


334  VETERINARY    HOMCEOPATHY. 

Tenderness  on  pressure  over  the  loins. — Aneurism,  Neph- 
ritis. 

Tenderness  on  pressure  of  abdomen. — Enteritis,  Peritonitis. 

Testicles  shrunken  in  size. — Impotence. 

Thirst  very  great.— Bilious  Fever,  Simple  Fever,   Lymphan- 

Throat  swollen. — lyaryngitis. 

Throat  sore. — Commou  cold. 

Tires  quickly  with  little  work.— Indigestion,  Nasal  Gleet. 

Tongue  dry  and  brown. — Primary  Glossitis. 

Tongue  swollen  and  protruding. — Primary  Glossitis. 

Tongue  swollen  and  whitish. — Caustic  Irritation, 
gitis,  Weed,  Common  Cold,  Bronchitis,  Dysentery. 

Turning  constantly  to  one  side  in  walking. — Hemiplegia. 

Udder  swollen,  hard  and  shining,  the  swelling  extending 
along  abdomen. — Mammitis. 

Ulcers  on  legs. — Farcy. 

Unconsciousness. — Anthrax. 

Urine,  inability  to  pass.^ — Cohc,  Metritis. 

Urination,  posing  for. — Colic,  Renal  Congestion,  Nephritis. 

Urine,  suppression  of.—  Renal  Congestion,  Nephritis. 

Urine,  high-colored. — Simple  Fever,  Bilious  Fever,  Influenza, 
Purpura,  Pneumonia,  Carditis,  Indigestion,  Dropsy,  Mammitis. 

Urine  diminished  in  quantity. — Simple  Fever,  Bilious  Fever, 
Influenza,  Pneumonia,  Carditis,  Indigestion,  Dropsy,  Mammitis. 
-  Urine  increased  in  quantity. — Glanders,  Farcy. 

Urine  coffee  colored. — Azoturia. 

Urine  pale  in  color.— Glanders,  Farcy. 

Urine  v^ratery  constituents  excessive. — Diabetes  Insipidus. 

Urine  mixed  with  blood  constantly  dribbles  from  vagina. — 
Cystitis. 

Variable  action  of  the  bowels. — Indigestion. 

Visible  mucous  membranes  greyish-blue  color.— Diabetes 
Insipidus. 

Visible  mucous  membranes  pallid. — Rupture  of  Stomach, 
Dropsy. 

Visible  mucous  membranes  yellow.— Congestion  of  the 
Liver. 

Visible  mucous  membranes  red  and  injected. — Cerebro- 
spinal Meningitis. 


CODE   OF   COMMON   SUGGESTIVE   SYMPTOMS.  335 

Vomition.— Ruptured  Stomach. 
Wasting  of  muscles. — Diabetes  Insipidus. 
\A^omb,  mouth  of,  closed. — (See  under  Parturition.) 
Yellow  appearance  of  mucous  membranes. — Bilious  Fever, 
Influenza. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Abdominal  Breathing,  Charac- 
ter of 

Abortion 238,  240, 

Acari 

After-birth  .  " 

Air,  Ingress  of 

Air,  Egress  of 

Allopathy  and  Homoeopathy, 
Their  Distinction  .    .    . 

Allopathy  Has  no  Guiding  Prin- 
ciple   

Allopathists,  How  They  Pre- 
scribe      

Allopathic  Prescribing  Un- 
certain   

Allopathic  Prescribing  Is  Not 
Precise 

Allopathic  Prescribing,  Why  it 
Fails 

Anthrax 

Aneurism 

Antidotes 

Aorta 

Artery  and  Vein,  How  to  Dis- 
tinguish     

Arteries 92,  135, 

Arthritis 

Asthma 

Ascites 

Astringents 

Ascaris  Megalocephala    .... 

Atrophy 

Attenuation,  The  Meaning  of  . 

Attenuation,  The  Advantages 
of 

Attenuation,  Processes  of  .    .    . 


26 

250 

315 

237 

16 

16 


xu 
72 
146 
165 
135 

24 
146 
248 
126 
197 
207 
320 
146 

35 

35 
35 


Attenuation,    Action   of    Drugs 

Developed  by 36 

Attenuation,  Comparative 
Strength  of  Drugs  Devel- 
oped After 38 

Attenuation,  Physiological  Ac- 
tivity Produced  by    ...    .  40 
Attenuation,    Drugs     Rendered 

More  Active  by 41 

Auscultation  of  Chest  .    .  27,  119,  142 

Auscultate,  How  to 27 

Auscultation   Practice    on 

Healthy  Animals  Desirable,  27 

Auto-inoculation 69 

Azoturia 227 

B 

Bacillus  Anthracis 73 

Balling  Instrument 154 

Barrenness 240,  253 

Back  Sinews 2S6 

Belching  Up  Wind 173 

Bladder,  Inversion  of 226 

Blowing       25 

Blood  Poisoning 82 

Bone  Spavin 291 

Bog  Spavin 291 

Bronchitis    .            no 

Brain 32 

Breathing  Rapid,  an  Indication 

of  Coming  Illness     ....  25 
Breathing,  Differences  in  Char- 
acter of 26 

Breathing,  Different  Sounds  of  .  27 

Breathing,  Modifications  of   .    .  27 

Broken  Wind      126 

Broken  Wind,  How  Indicated  .  26 


337 


338 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


Broken  Knees    .    .    . 
Broncho-pneumonia 


287 
115 


Cataract    

Canker     

Calculus 179,  180, 

Calculus,  Possible  Presence  of  . 

Calculus,  Symptoms  Suggestive 
of 

Capped  Hock 

Catarrh 

Capillaries 

Carditis 

Caries 

Canula 

Canon  Bones  

Centicimal  Scale 

Cerebritis  

Cerebro-spinal  Meningitis  .    .    . 

Chyle 

Chorea 

Chorde  Tendinae 

Circulatory  System 

Cleanliness  of  Stable,  Reasons 
for  and  Importance  of  .    .    • 

Cleanliness, Danger  Where  Neg- 
lected   

Code  of  Symptoms 

Coryza 

Corona 

Common  Cold 96, 

Corns    

Coma 

Coronary  Band  

Congestion  of  Kidnej^s    .... 

Congestion  of  the  Liver  .... 

Constipation 

Constipation,  Not  Necessary  to 
Purge  for 

Co-ordination 

Colic      

Colic,  Horse  Should  be  Allowed 
to  Roll  When  vSuffering 
from 

Cracked  Heels 


306 

301 

227 

32 

32 
294 

97 
133 
140 

153 
188 

285 

36 

266 

268 

89 

275 
142 

132 
16 

16 

327 

96 

289 

HI 

301 
164 
299 
217 
211 
198 

32 
264 
183 


32 
312 


Crural  Muscles 284 

Crib-biter 173 

Curb 291 

Cystitis 225 

D 

Dermatodectes 317 

Decimal  Scale 36 

Decayed  Teeth 153 

Disinfection,  Necessary, 

48,  62,  63,  72,  76,  379 

Diseases,  Arrangement  of  .    .    .  43 

Diseases,  Classification  of  .    .    .  43 

Diseases  not  all  Cured  by  Drugs,  12 

Diagnosis 21 

Diaphragm,  Spasms  of    ...    .  148 

Digestive  System 149 

Diarrhoea 205 

Diabetes 223 

Diabetes  INIellitus 223 

Diabetes  Insipidus 223 

Dose,  The 34 

Dose,  General  Quantity  for  a    .  39 

Dose,  Repetition  of  the  ....  39 

Dosage 34 

Doors,  Their  Use 16 

Drainage  of  Stable 17 

Droptsole "    "    .    .  298 

Dropsy 124,  197 

Drugs,  The  Strength, of  ....  34 
Drugs   When   Given    in    Crude 

Form 38 

Drugs,  Strength  of  in  Various 

Forms  of  Disease 38 

Dyspepsia 167 

Dysentery 192 

E 

Ears,  Diseases  of 309 

Eczema 314 

Eczema  Impetiginodes    ....  314 

Ectropium 308 

Elbow  Lameness 285 

Elephantiasis 315 

Embolism 146 

Emphysema 128 


GENERAL    INDEX. 


339 


Entropium 308 

Endo-metritis 241 

Knenia  Pump 182 

Endo-carditis 140 

Enteritis 190 

Erysipelas 58 

Erythema 312 

Exostoses 288 

Exposure 80 

Experimental  Inculation    ...  74 

Eyes 304 


Farcy 61 

Fatigue 80 

Fetlock  Joint,  Sprain  of  ...  .  288 
Fever,  Low  Type  Produced  by 

Want  of  Cleanliness    ...  18 

Fever,  Simple 45 

Fever,  Bilious 46 

Fireplaces  in  Stables  Advantag- 

ous 17 

Fistulous  Withers 311 

Filaria  Papillosa 321 

Flooding  After  Birth 238 

Flatulent  Colic  . 1S6 

Flexor  Tendons 285 

Foot,  The 294 

Foal,  The 246 

Fcetal  Membranes     ......  237 

Fracture  of  Suffraginis    ....  28S 

Fungus  Haematodes 306 


Gastritis 162 

Generative  Organs,  Diseases  of  214 

General  Diseases 45 

Glanders 61 

Glanders,  Chronic 66 

Glands 88 

Glossitis 156 

Gonorrhoea 230 

Grapes 315 

Gravel           227 

Grunter 104 


Grease 315 

Gullet 149,  161 

H 

Haemorrhoids 201,  204 

Haemorrhage  Post  Partum  .    .    .  23S 

Hepatitis  .               212 

Health,  Preservation  of  ...    .  15 

Heart  Beats,  How  to  Count   .    .  23 

Heart  Valves 78 

Heartburn 169 

Heart 88,  132 

Heart,  Dilatation  of 138 

Heart,  Fatty  Degeneration  of    .  146 

Hemiplegia 277 

Hernia  Umbilical 182 

Hernia  Scrotal 182 

Hernia  Strangulated 1S2 

Hiccough 148 

Homoeopathic   Principle  Unaf- 
fected b}'  Dose 34 

Homoeopathy    and    Allopathy, 

their  Distinction vii 

Homoeopathy,  What  is  it    .    .    .  viii 

Homoeopathic  Law xi 

How  to  Determine  What  is  the 

Matter 2[ 

Hock,  the 290 

Hygieue,  Principles  of  ...    .  15 

Hypertrophy  of  Heart     ....  13S 


Impotence 232 

Importance  of  Drug  Symptoms  x 

Internal  Parasites 320 

Intestinal  Obstruction 176 

Influenza 50 

Introduction ii^ 

Indigestion 167 

Indigestion  in  Foals 250 

Intestines,  the 174 

Inflammation 321 

Inflammation  of  Lungs  ....  115 

Inflammation  of  Heart    ....  140 

Inflammation  of  .\rteries  ...  147 


340 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Inflammation  of  Veins    .    .    .    . 
Inflammation  of  Tongue     . 
Inflammation  of  Parotid  Glands 
Inflammation  of  Pharynx  .    . 
Inflammation  of  Stomach  . 
Inflammation  of  Intestines 
Inflammation  of  Peritoneum 
Inflammation  of  Liver     . 
Inflammation  of  Kidneys 
Inflammation  of  Bladder 
Inflammation  of  Uretha  . 
Inflammation  of  Testicles 
Inflammation  of  Vagina 
Inflammation  of  Uterus  . 
Inflammation  of  the  Womb   . 
Inflammation  of  the  Udder    . 
Inflammation  of  Brain     .    .    . 
Inflammation  of  Meninges    . 
Inflammation  of  Foot  .    .    .    • 
Inflammation  of  Conjunctiva 

Intersusception 

Incarceration 

Invagination 

Isolation 


Jomts  .  .  .  . 
Joint  111  .  .  . 
Joint  Oil  .  .  • 
Jugular  Veins 


147 
156 
157 
159 
162 
190 

195 
212 
219 
225 
229 
231 
241 
241 
242 
244 
266 
266 
296 

304 
176 
i76 
177 
62 


77 
249 
287 
139 


Kidneys,  Congestion  of .    .    .    -    217 
Knee 285 


Lamminitis 228,  298 

Lampas I54 

Laryngitis loi 

Lameness 278 

Leucorrhoea 241 

Ligament 77 

Ligament,  Sprains  of 281 

Liver 210 


Light  From  Stable  Roof,  Its 
Advantage  and  Disadvant- 
age       17 

Light,  Importance  of,  to  Pre- 
serve Eyesight 17 

Lice 319 

Local  Paralysis 277 

Lock-jaw      271 

Lungs 109 

Lungs,  Congestion  of 115 

Lymphangitis 58,  87 

Lymphatic  Vessels 61,  88 

M 

Mallein 63,  64,  68 

Mammitis 244 

Mallanders 313 

Mange 317 

Maw  Worm 320- 

Medicine,    How  it   Enters   the 

Body .    .  37 

Medicine,   Not  Necessarily  Re- 
quired Strong  for  Animals .  38- 
Medicine,  Best  Vehicles  for  Ad- 
ministering        39 

Medicine,  How  to  Administer  .  39 

Membrana  Nickitans 272 

Meningitis 266 

Metritis .    .  242 

Mesentery 176 

Miscarriage 250 

Monday  Morning  Disease  ...  87 

Moisture So 

Mortification 191 

Mud  PVver 312 

Muscles 77 

Muscles,  Sprains  of  the    ....  281 

Musicians 131 

N 

Nasal  Gleet 97 

Navicular  Disease 296 

Nephritis 219 

Newmarket  Fever    .    .    .83,  106,  129 

Nervous  System 260^ 


GENERAL    INDEX. 


341 


Neurotomy 298 

Nettlerasli 313 

O 

CEstrum 241 

OSsopliagus 161 

Opthalmia 304 

Orchitis 231 

Os  Uteri 236 

Os  Dilator 254 

Oxygen  Gas 55>  7^ 

Oxyuris  Curvula 320 


Parasites 305,  315 

Parasites,  Internal 320 

Pathological  Names  Unreliable    xiii 
Pain,    Locality  of.    How   Indi- 
cated        31 

Paraplegia 277 

Palpation 135 

Palpitation  . 136 

Paraphimosis 230 

Parturient  Fever 242 

Parotid  Glands loi,  105 

Parotitis 157 

Parotid  Glands,  Inflammation  of    157 

Parturition 233 

Parturition,  Diseased  Condition 

Incidental  to 240 

Paralysis,  General 276 

Peritonitis 195 

Percussion 95 

Pericarditis 13.S 

Periosteum  ....  ....     28S 

Phlebitis 155 

Pharynx 149,  159 

Phimosis 230 

Pharyngitis 168 

Piles 201,  204 

Pleura 95,  110 

Pleuro-pneumonia  ....    115 

Pleuro-pneumonia  Septic    ...     130 

Pleurisy 123 

Pneumonia 116 


Potencies 

Potencies,  Varieties  of    ...    . 

Poll  Evil 30, 

Poh'pus 

Presentations ... 

Presentations,  False 

Probang    

Prolapsus  Ani 

Preservation  of  Health    .... 

Premature  Birth 

Protrusion  of  Bowels 

Psoas  Ivluscle 

Pulsations,  Normal  Numbers  of 

Pulsations,  Variations   of    .    .    . 

Purpura  Htemorrhagica  .... 

Pulse,  the  Character  of  the    .    . 

Pulse,  Practice  the  Taking   of  . 

Pulse,  Special  Points  in  Taking 

Pulse,  Where  to  Take  it  ...    . 

Pulse,  Variations  of,  What  They 
suggest 

Pulse,  Value  Diagnosis  of  .    .    . 

Pulse  and  Respirations,  Rela- 
tionship Between 

Pulse,  Uniformity  with  Temper- 
ature and  Respiration  not 
Absolute 

Pyaemia 


Q 


Ouidding 
Ouittors    . 


R 

Rabies 

Renal  Congestion 

Respiratory  Organs 

Remedies,  Sensitiveness  of  Hom- 
oeopathic   

Restlessness . 

Respiration . 

Respirations,  Normal  Number  of 

Respirations,  How  to  Observe  . 

Respirations  and  Pulse,  Rela- 
tionship between   .    .    . 


34 

35 

310 

105 

234 

234 

162 

194 

xiii 

250 

194 

283 

23 

23 

92 

23 

24 

24 

24 
25 

26 


27 
82 


153 
302 


85 
217 

95 

40 
80 

25 
26 
26 

26 


342 


GENERAL   INDEX, 


Respirations,    Uniformity   with 
Pulse  and  Teinperature  not 

Absolute 27 

Respiratory  Murmurs 27 

Retention  of  FcEtal  Membranes  237 

Rheumatism 77 

Ringbone .  289 

Ringworm 319 

Roaring 103 

Rolling,  to  Prevent,  in  Colic  is 

Erroneous 32 

Roof,  best  for  Ventilation  ...  16 

Rupture iSo 

Rupture  of  Intestinal  Walls  .    .  188 


Sanitation,  Principles  of  .    ...  15 

Satyriasis 232 

Sandcrack 301 

Sallanders 313 

Sarcoptis 317 

Scabies 317 

Septicamia 82 

Seedy  Toes 301 

Shiverer 275 

Shivering 275 

Shoulder  Lameness 284 

Shoulder  Slip 285 

Side  Bones 296 

Sighing 173 

Skin,  Diseases  of  the 312 

Sore  Teats 246 

Sore  Throat 159 

Speculum 105 

Sprains 281 

Splints 288 

Strongulus  Tetracanthus ....  206 

Strongyulus  Armatus 320 

Stringhalt 275 

Stethoscope 135 

Stamping  Out 68 

St.   Vitus'   Dance 275 

Strangles 47 

Staggers 264 

Stomach,  Rupture  of 170 


Stomach  Staggers 168 

Stupor 164 

Stifle 290 

Stable,   Construction  of  ...    .  15 

Stable,  Drainage  of 15 

Stable,  Lighting  of 16 

Stable,  Importance  of  Site,  Soil 

and  Aspect      16 

Suffraginis 288 

Super-purgation 207 

Suspensory  Ligaments 285 

Swollen  Glands  (see  Strangles)  .  47 

Symbiotes 317 

Synovia 285 

Symptoms,   How  Expressed  by 

Animals    .    .            xi 

Symptoms,    Totality  of  Neces- 
sary     xii 

Symptoms,    How  to  Recognize 

Totality        29 

vSymptoms,  How  to  Observe  in 

Various  Organs 29 

Sj^mptoms,  Objective 29 

S3"mptoms,  Subjective 30 

Symptoms,    Same   in   Diflferent 

Maladies 43 


Tape  Worm 320 

Teats,  Sore 246 

Teeth 152 

Temperature,  Normal  in  Horse  .  22 
Temperature,     Importance     of 

Determining 22 

Temperature  of  Stables  ....  16 

Temperature,  Best  in  Building  .  17 
Temperature    in     Relation     to 

Pulse  and  Respiration  ...  25 
Temperature,    Uniformity  with 

Pulse  and  Respiration  not 

Absolute 25 

Temperature  an  Important 

Guide 29 

Tetanus 271 

Tendons 77 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


343 


Tendons,  Sprains  of 28 1 

Thermometer,     its    Value    and 

Use 22 

Thermometer,  When  to  Use  .    .  22 
Thermometer,  Varied  Registra- 
tion of .    .        .  22 
Time  Best  for  Watering  Horse  .  19 
Time   to   be   Allowed   Between 

Watering  and  Feeding    .    .  20 

Thrush                  301 

Thoroughpin 293 

Thick  Wind      113,  122 

Totality  of  Symptoms x 

Tonsils 159 

Trachea 106,  109 

Tracheotomy 93 

Trituation,  Advantages  of  .    .    .  36 

Treatment,  How  to  Determine  .  21 
Treatment,     Local     Combined 

with  Internal      30 

Trochar 18S 

Trephining •    ■  99 

Twist      179,  181 

U 

Ulcers 61 

Urinary  Organs,  Diseases  of,  214,  229 

Urticaria      313 

Urethra 229 

Uterus,  Inversion  of 239 

Uterus,  Displacement  of     .    .    .  254 


V 

Valvulitis 140 

Vaginitis 241 

Venous  Pulse 142 

Veins         88,  133 

Ventilation  of  Stable       ....  15 

Ventilation,  a  System  of     .    .    .  16 

Virus 61 

Vomiting 170 

W 

Warmth    of    Body,    How    Best 

Maintained 16 

Water,  Service  of 19 

Water,  Hard  to  be  Boiled  19 
W'ater,    Influence    on    Digestive 

organs 19 

Water,  Purity  of  Supply  Tested,  76 
Watering   Horse,    Reasons    for 

Special  Time 20 

Weed            87 

White,  Fibrous  Tissue     ....  77 

Whistler 104 

Windpipe 106,  109 

Windows,  Their  Use 16 

Wind  Sucker 169 

Womb,  Inversion  of     .    .        .    .  239 

Womb,  Displacement  of  ...    .  235 

Womb,  Inflammation  of  ...    .  242 

Wool  Sorters'  Disease 74 


CATALOGUE  OF 

Homeopathic 
Veterinary  Works 

PUBLISHED  BY 

BOERICKE  &  TAFEL 

HoMCEopATHic  Pharmacists,  Importers  and 

Publishers 

Boericke  &  Tafel's  Pharmacies  and  Book  Depots,  to  which  or- 
ders may  be  sent,  are  located  as  follows  : 

Philadelphia  Pa. — loii  Arch  Street 

Philadelphia,  Pa. — 125  South  nth  Street 
Philadelphia,  Pa. — 15  North  6th  Street 
New  York  Citv — 145  Grand  Street 

New  York  City — 634  Cohimbus  Avenue 
New  York  City— 129  West  42d  Street 
Chicago,  III. — 57  Wabash  Avenue 

Baltimore,  Md. — 326  N.  Howard  Street 
Allegheny,  Pa.— 906  Federal  Street 
Cincinnati,  O. — 204  West  4th  Street 
Business  Established  in  18^, 


ANSHUTZ,  DR.  E.  P.—Do^s,  How  to  Care  for  Them  in  Health 
and  Treat  Theyn    When  III.    Homoeopathic  Treatment.   Illus- 
trated.     100  pages.     Cloth,  75  cents,  net.     Postage,  5  cents. 
This  book  is  a  compilation  from  homoeopathic  literature  of  the 
best  published  on  the  treatment  of  dogs,  and  reinforced  by  nu- 
merous clinical  cases.     The  work  was  revised  by  Dr.  J.  T.  Kent 
and  is  probably  the  most  satisfactory  book  on  the  treatment  of 
dogs  ever  published. 


"INCURABLE"  DISEASES  OF  BEAST  AND  FOWL. 

'' Includi7ig  Pleiiro- Pneumonia,  Rinde^-pest  or  Texas  Fever, 
Glanders,  Tnhercnlosis,  Roup,  Chickc7i  and  Hog  Cholera.  30 
pages.      121110.     Paper,  25  cents,  net.     Postage,  2  cents. 

Twenty-two  of  the  thirty  pages  are  taken  up  with  a  reprint  of 
the  eighth  edition  of  James  Moore's  famous  monograph  of  Pleuro- 
Pneuni07iia  or  Pulmonary  Murain  in  Cattle.  Following  which 
are  treatments  of  the  other  diseases  named  in  the  pamphlet's 
title. 

"If  this  little  book  is  half  what  is  claimed  for  it,  it  is  worth 
its  weight  in  gold.  It  gives  directions  for  the  cure  of  pleuro- 
pneumonia, glanders,  hog  and  chicken  cholera,  roup  and  other 
incurable  (?)  diseases." — Farm,  Stock  a^id  Home. 

MANUAL  OF  HOMCEOPATHIC  VETERINARY 
PRACTICE.  Designed  for  Horses  and  All  Kinds  of  Domestic 
Ani77ials  and  Fowls ;  Prescribhig  Their  Proper  Treatment  When 
Injured  or  Diseased,  and  Their  Particular  Care  and  Geiieral 
Management  in  Health.  685  pages.  8vo.  Half-morocco, 
$5.00.     Mailed,  post-paid  on  receipt  of  price. 

This  is  the  largest  work  on  homoeopathic  veterinar}^  practice 
published,  and,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  title,  embraces  all  the 
domestic  animals  and  fowls.  It  is  considerably  more  than 
a  work  on  the  treatment  of  diseases  of  animals,  as  it  also 
takes  in  their  care,  training,  feeding,  habits,  and  so  on.  The 
medical  treatment  of  all  the  animals  receives  very  full  attention, 
and  the  book  contains  what  no  other  \vork  does,  i.  e.,  materia 
medica  applied  to  animals,  which  is  an  especial  and  valuable 
feature  of  this  excellent  book.  It  is  a  book  for  all  well-to-do 
farmers  and  stablemen,  and  can  easily  be  made  to  save  its  price 
many  times  over  if  it  is  studied  whenever  anything  is  wrong 
with  the  live  stock  or  in  the  poultry  yard. 

"Of  our  own  knowledge  it  has  already  done  good  service,  as 
adapted  to  the  treatment  of  horses  especially,  which,  as  a  class 
and  as  a  rule,  know  more  than  their  drivers  and  their  doctors 
combined;  it  is  nearly  perfect." — fohn  Rogers,  Veterinary  Sur- 
geon. 


NEEL,  DR.  EDITH  K.—Cais.  How  to  Care  for  Them  in 
Health  and  Treat  Them  When  III.  Illustrated.  Second  Edi- 
tion.    48  pages.     Cloth,  50  cents,  net.     Postage,  4  cents. 

This  is,  we  believe,  the  only  homoeopathic  book  ever  published 
on  the  homoeopathic  treatment,  the  most  efficacious  known,  for 
cats  as  it  is  for  other  animals.  The  directions  for  their  care  are 
also  excellent.  The  book  is  very  popular  with  cat  lovers  and 
dealers  and  surely  fills  a  long  felt  want.  The  pictures  are 
merely  cat  pictures. 

POULTRY  DOCTOR,  Tl:i¥.—Includhig  the  Homoeopathic 
Treatment  ajid  Care  of  Chickens^  TnrkeySy  Geese,  Ducks  and 
Singiyig  Birds;  also  a  Materia  Medica  of  the  Chief  Remedies. 
85  pages.  i2mo.  Cloth,  50  cents.  Mailed  on  receipt  of 
price. 

This  is  the  only  book  in  print  to-day  devoted  exclusively  to 
the  homoeopathic  treatment  of  the  ills  of  feathered  creation. 
The  brutal  sentiment  that  "the  hatchet"  is  the  only  cure  for  a 
sick  fowl  is  contrary  to  self-interest,  for  with  but  trifling  cost 
for  medicine,  and  no  more  trouble  than  keeping  the  medicine 
dissolved  in  the  fowls'  drinking  water,  the  lives  of  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  them  who  die  each  year,  could  be  saved.  Under 
homoeopathic  treatment  such  disastrous  epidemics  as  roup  or 
cholera,  either  of  which  carry  off  whole  flocks  of  valuable  poul- 
try, are  effectually  mastered  with  but  little  physical  trouble  or 
loss  of  fowls.  This  medication  is  a  powerful  aid  to  proper  h>  - 
giene  and  sanitation. 

RUSH,  DR.  JOHN— 77;^  HandBookof  Veterinary  Homoeop- 
athy; or  Homceopathic  Treatment  cf  the  Horse,  the  Ox,  the  Sheep, 
the  Dog  and  Swine.  With  numerous  additions  from  the  Ger- 
man of  Guenther,  by  J.  F.  Sheek,  M.  D.  144  pages.  i2mo. 
Cloth,  50  cents.      Mailed,  post-paid,  on  receipt  of  price. 

The  smallest  of  our  veterinary  works,  yet  containing  enough 
to  repay  any  farmer  or  stock  owner  a  hundred  fold  its  price.  Its 
directions  for  distinguishing  ailments  and  for  the  remedies  are 
so  plain  that  anyone  can  become  a  very  good  veterinarian  by 
their  aid. 


SCHiEFFER,   DR.  J.  Q,.—New  Manual  of  Homceopathic  Vet- 
erinary Medicijie.     An  easy  and  comprehensive  Arrangement  of 
Diseases,    etc.,    of  Horses,    Cattle,  ^Sheep,    Swi?ie,    and    Dogs. 
Translated  from  the  German,  with  numerous  additions  from 
other  veterinarian  manuals,   by  Charles  J.  Hempel,  M.  D.     321 
pages.     8vo.     Cloth,    $2.00.     Mailed,   post-paid,    on    receipt  of 
price. 

This  has  long  been  a  favorite  work  in  many  quarters,  and  the 
translator.  Dr.  Hempel,  says:  "It  is  particularly  distinguished 
by  its  eminentl}^  practical  character."  He  also  tells  us  that 
'  In  order  to  render  this  work  as  complete  as  possible,  a  good 
many  interesting  and  highly  useful  additions  from  Guenther, 
Haycock,  Youatt  and  other  writers  on  veterinary  surgery  and 
medicine  have  been  incorporated." 

VON  ROSENBERG,  A.  D.  V.  S. —Pocket- Book  of  Veterinary 
Practice.  126  pages  Cloth,  75  cents.  Postage,  4  cents. 
The  author  of  this  little  book  contends  that  animals  can  be 
cured  of  di.seases  by  the  same  methods  and  with  the  same  rem- 
edies as  the  human  subject  ;  that  being  pure  vegetarians  and 
their  systems  not  subject  to  the  dangers  of  highlj'-seasoned  and 
indigestible  food  and  liquors,  they  respond  even  more  quickly 
to  small  doses  of  medicine.  A  diagnostic  symptomatic  code  pre- 
cedes the  consideration  of  the  diseases  and  their  remedial  treat- 
ment. The  treatment  is  homoeopathic  very  practical  and  easily 
understood. 


Webster  Family  Library  of  Veterinary  Medicine 
Cummings  School  of  Veterinary  Medicine  at 
Tutts  University 
200  Westboro  Road 
Nortb  Grafton,  MA  01 536 


